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PIRATES OWN BOOK, 

on 

AUTHENTIC NARRATIVES 

or THE 

LIVES. EXPLOITS. AND EXECUTIONS OF THE MOST CELEBRATED 

SEA robber's. 



WITH 

IE H S S' O m H O Ild S E IS ® (D IB H fl 


OF THE 

Soassamre, cSpaniialj, Uatironr, jurist SntJfa, 
SttalajD, antr ^lorrCnc JUiratcs. 


i'UK'rLANl), AIK.; 

PUBLISHED BY E 11 AN CIS BLAKB 

1 86 6 . 


ft' 


GfSiS 

IS 5fc 



Entered, according to an Act of Congreaa, in the year 1837, ky 
Sahukl N. DicEiaaoa, 

in thn ClerA'a OIBca of Uie Diatrict Coart of MaMachnnetla. 


/ ^ ^ 3 




PREFACE. 


In the mind of the mariner, there is a supeistitious hor* 
ror connected with the name of Pirate ; and there are few 
subjects that interest and excite the curiosity of mankind 
generally, more than the desperate exploits, foul doings, and 
diabolical career of these monsters in human form. A pi- 
ratical crew is generally formed of the desperadoes and 
runagates of every clime and nation. The pirate, from 
the perilous nature of his occupation, when not cruising on 
the oceauj the great highway of nations, selects the most 
lonely isles of the sea for his retreat, or secretes himself 
near the shores of rivers, bays and lagoons of thickly 
wooded and uninhabited countries,' so that if pursued he 
can escape to the woods and mountain glens of the inte- 
rior. The islands of the Indian Ocean, and the east and 
west coasts of Africa, as well as the West Indies, have been 


4 


PREFACE. 

their haunts for centuries ; and vessels navigating the At 
lantic and Indian Oceans, are often captured by them, the 
passengers and crew murdered, the money and most valua- 
ble part of the cargo plundered, the vessel destroyed, thus 
obliterating all trace of their unhappy fate, and leaving 
friends and relatives to mourn their loss from^ the inclemen- 
cies of the elements, when they were butchered in cold 
blood by their fellow men, who by practically adopting the 
maxim that “dead men tell no tales,” enable themselves to 
pursue their diabolical career with impunity. The pirate 
is truly fond of women and wine, and when not engaged 
in robbing, keeps maddened with intoxicating liquors, and 
passes his time in debauchery, singing old songs with cho- 
russes like • 

** Drain, drain the bowl, each fearless soul, 

Let the world wag as it w'ill j 
Let the heavens growl, let the devil howl. 

Drain, drain the deep bowl and fill.’’ ' 

Thus his hours of relaxation are passed in wild and ex- 
travagant frolics amongst the lofty forests of palms and spicy 
groves of the Torrid Zone, and amidst the aromatic and 
beautiful flowering vegetable productions of that region. 
He has fruits delicious to the taste, and as companions, the 
unsophisticated daughters of Africa and the Indies. It 
would be supposed that his wild career would be one of 
delight. 

But the apprehension and foreboding of the mind, when 
under the influence of remorse, are powerful, and every 
man, whether civilized or savage, has interwoven in his 
constitution a moral sense, which secretly condemns him 
when he has committed an atrocious action, even when he 
is placed in situations which raise him above the fear of 
human punishment, for 


I 


PREFACE. 


6 


Conscience, the torturer of the soul, unseen, 

Does fiercely brandish a sharp scourge within ; 

Severe decrees may keep our tongues in awe, 

But to our minds what edicts can give law ? 

Even you yourself to your own breast shall tell 
Your crimes, and your own conscience be your hell.” 

With the name of pirate is also associated ideas of rich 
plunder, caskets of buried jewels, chests of gold ingots, 
bags of outlandish coins, secreted in lonely, out of the way 
places, or buried about the wild shores of rivers, and un- 
explored sea coasts, near rocks and trees bearing myste- 
rious marks, indicating where the treasure was hid. And 
as it is his invariable practice to secrete and bury his booty, 
and from the perilous life he leads, being often killed or 
captured, he can never re-visit the spot again ; immense 
sums remain buried in those places, and are irrecoverably 
lost. Search is often made by persons who labor in an- 
ticipation of throwing up with their spade and pickaxe, gold 
bars, diamond crosses sparkling amongst the dirt, bags of 
golden doubloons, and chests, wedged close with moLdores, 
ducats and pearls ; but although great treasures lie bid in 
this way it seldom happens that any is so recovered. 




INTRODUCTION. 


By the universal law of nations, robbery or forcible de- 
predation upon the high seas,” animo furandi, is piracy. 
The meaning of the phrase “high seas,” embraces not 
only the waters of the ocean, which are out of sight of land, 
but the waters on the sea coast below low water mark^ 
whether within the territorial boundaries of a foreign nation, 
or of a domestic state. Blackstone says that the main set* 
or high sea begins at low water mark. But between the 
high water mark and low water mark, where the tide ebbs* 
and flows, the common law and the admiralty have divisum 
imperium, an alternate jurisdiction, one upon the water, 
when it is full sea ; the other upon the land when it is ebb. 

He doubtless here refers to the waters of the ocean on the i 
sea coast, and not in creeks and inlets. Lord Hale says 
that the sea is either that which lies within the body of a 
county or without. That which lies without the body of 
a county is called the main sea or ocean. So far then as 


INTRODUCTION. 


vii 


regards the states of the American union, “ high seas,” may 
be taken to mean that part of the ocean which washes the 
sea coast, and is without the body of any county, accord- 
ing to the common law ; and so far as regards foreign 
nations, any waters on their sea coasts, below low water 
mark. 

Piracy is an offence against the universal law of society, 
a pirate being according to Sir Edward Coke, hostis humani 
generis. As, therefore, he has renounced all the benefits 
of society and government, and has reduced himself to the 
savage state of nature, by declaring war against all man- 
kind, all mankind must declare war against him;' so that 
every community has a right by the rule of self-defence, to 
inflict that punishment upon him which every individual 
would in a state of nature otherwise have been entitled to 
do, for any invasion of his person or personal property. 
By various statutes in England and the United States, 
other offences are made piracy. Thus, if a subject of 
either of these nations commit any act of hostility against 
a fellow subject on the high seas, under color of a commis- 
sion from any foreign power, this act is piracy. So if any 
captain of any vessel, or mariner, run away with the ves- 
sel, or the goods, or yield them up to a pirate voluntarily, 
or if any seaman lay violent hands on his commander, to 
hinder him from fighting in defence of the ship or goods 
committed to his charge, or make a revolt in the ship, 
these offences are acts of piracy, by the laws of the United 
States and England. In England by the statute of 8 
George 1, c. 24, the trading or corresponding with known 
pirates, or the forcibly boarding any merchant vessel, 
(though without seizing her or carrying her off,) and de- 
stroying any of the goods on board, are declared to be acts 
of piracy ; and by the statute 18 George II. c. 30, any 
natural born subject or denizen who in time of war, shall 
commit any hostilities at sea, against any of his fellow sub- 
jects, or shall assist an enemy, on that element, is liable to 
be punished as a pirate. By statute of George II. c. 25, 
the ransoming of any neutral vessel, which has been taken 
by the captain of a private ship of war, is declared piracy. 
By the act of congress, April 30, 1790, if any person upon 
the high seas, or in any river, haven, or bay, out of the 


Vlll 


•NTRODUCTION. 


jurisdiction of any particular state, commit murder or rob- 
bery, or any other offence which if committed within the 
body of a county, would by the laws of the United States, 
be punishable with death, such offender is to be deemed a 
pirate. By the act of congjress, 1720, c. 113; if any citizen 
of the United States, being of the crew of any foreign ves- 
sel, or any person being of the crew of any vessel owned 
in whole or part by any citizen of the United States, shall 
be engaged in the foreign slave trade, he shall be adjudged 
a pirate. Notwithstanding the expression used in this 
statute, the question, says Chancellor Kent, remains to be 
settled, whether the act of being concerned in the slave 
trade would be adjudged piracy, within the code of inter- 
national law. In England by the act of parliament passed 
March 31, 1824, the slave trade is also declared to be 
piracy. An attempt has been made to effect a convention 
between the United States and Great Britain, by which it 
should be agreed that both nations should consider the 
slave trade as piratical ; but this attempt has hitherto been 
unsuccessful. In the time of Richard III. by the laws of 
Oberon, all infidels were regarded as pirates, and their 
property liable to seizure wherever found. By the law of 
nations, the taking of goods by piracy does not divest the 
actual owner of them. By the civil institutions of Spain 
and Venice, ships taken from pirates became the property 
of those who retake them. Piracy is every where pursued 
and punished with death, and pirates can gain no rights 
by conquest. It is of no importance, for the purpose of 
giving jurisdiction in cases of piracy, on whom or where a 
piratical offence is committed. A pirate who is one by the 
law of nations, may be tried and punished in any country 
where he may be found ; for he is reputed to be out of 
the protection of all laws. But if the statute of any gov- 
ernment declares an offence, committed on board one of 
their own vessels, to be piracy ; such an offence will be 
punished exclusively by the nation which passes the stat- 
ute. In England the offence was formerly cognizable only 
by the Admiralty courts, which proceeded without a jury, 
in a method founded on the civil law. But by the statute 
of Henry VIII. c. 15, it was enacted that piracy should be 
tried by commissioners nominated by the lord chancellor, 


INTRODUCTION. 


IX 


the indictment being first found by a grand jury, of twelve 
men, and afterwards tried by another jury, as at common 
law. Among the commissioners, there are always some of 
the common law judges. In the United States, pirates are 
tried before the circuit court of the United States. Piracy 
has been known from the remotest antiquity; for in the 
early ages every small maritime state was addicted to 
piracy, and navigation was perilous. This habit was so 
general, that it was regarded with indifference, and, 
whether merchant, traveller, or pirate, the stranger was 
received with the rights of hospitality. Thus Nestor, hav- 
ing given Mentor and Telemachus a plenteous repast, 
remarks, that the banquet being finished, it was time to 
ask his guests to their business. ‘‘ Are you,” demands the 
aged prince, “ merchants destined to any port, or are you 
merely adventurers and pirates, who roam the seas without 
any place of destination, and live by rapine and ruin.^’ 
The laws of Solon refer to authorised associations for 
piracy ; the tribute gathering fleet of the Athenians was a 
positive armament of speculating marauders ; and almost 
all the early voyages were characterised by a union of 
frauds robbery, and exaction, under the name of trade. 
The test of the heroic Alexander’s honesty is given in the 
answer be received on questioning a captive pirate, as to 
what right he had to infest the seas. “ The same that thou 
•last to infest the universe ; but because I do this in a small 
‘hip, I am called a robber ; and because thou actest the 
i<me part with a great fleet thou art entitled a conqueror.” 




TABLE OF CONTENTS. 


Danish and Norman Pirates . .. 13 

Division of Ireland by Pirates 17 

England infected with Piracy 19 

The Crusades influential in checking Piracy 20 

Adventures and Exploits of Captain Avery 24 

Taking of one of the Great Mogul’s Ships 27 

Division of treasure, and villany of Avery 30 

Avery’s accomplices, Dew and Tew, settle at Madagascar 32 

Plot of the negroes, for the destruction of the Pirates 33 

of tl)c Joassametf J^iratrs 37 

Attempt tc taF e an English armed vessel, the Viper 38 

Two English Brigs attacked by the Joassamees 42 

Mas.sacre of the crew of the Sylph, belonging to the East India Co. .43 

Pirates defeated by an English Fleet 47 

Intrepidity of Lieutenant Hall 49 

The English send an expedition against these Pirates, in 1819 53 

Sketch of the Joassamee chief, llahmah-Ben-Jabir 59 

Ferocity of Ben-Jabir 61 

Blows up his own Vessel, with all on board 62 

Life of La Fitte, the Pirate of the Gulf 63 

Captive of the Queen East Indiaman 65 

Commodore Patterson sent against La Fitte 67 

Failure of the English in enlisting La Fitte against the Americans.. .72 

La Fitte’s interview with General Jackson 75 

Battle of New Orleans 79 

La Fitte proceeds to Texas 81 

Fits out a fast-sailing Brig, and starts anew as a determined Pirate . .83 

Des]>erate contest ; La Fitte killed 84 

The Life of Captain Roberts 86 

Capture of a Dutch Guineaman 87 

Destruction of ten French vessels . . 91 

Death of Roberts, and capture of his crew 97 

The Life of Charles Gibbs 98 

Gibbs a Grocer in Ann street, near the Tin Pot, Boston 99 

Brutal treatment of a Dutch Girl 103 

Gibbs and Wansley brought to the United States, for trial 109 

Sentence of Death pronounced upon them 113 

Gibbs’ Address to the People at his Executien 118 

i&istorj m'n ISpecutiou of t1)e .Spani.sJ 120 

Description of their schooner, the Panda 121 

They board the American brig Mexican 123 

Division of the Money taken from the Mexican 127 

These Pirates captured and sent to the United States for Trial 132 

Scene in Court during their Trial 133 

Verdict of the Jury 13? 


i 


TABLE OF CONTENTS 




De Soto Pardoned 139 

Capt. Gibert and his companions, at their execution, commanded to 

ascend to Heaven by the Catholic Priest 140 

The Life of Benito de Soto. 14^5 

Inhuman torture of a Black Man 147^ 

Capture of the Morning Star 151 

Trial and Execution of De Soto Ifil 

The Adventures of Captain Robert Kidd 103 

Kidd’s first Piracy 171 

Kidd and his Crew taken .175 

Kidd and six of his men Executed 178 

Bloody Career and Execution of Vincent Benavides 180 

Singular recovery of Benavides 181 

Benavides Arrested, and Executed 187 

The Life of Captain Davis 191 

Stratagem of Davis in capturing a French Vessel 193 

Pirate’s seize a Fort on the river Gambia 195 

Davis’s treachery to the Governor 197 

Davis chosen Commodore of a Piratical Fleet 199 

An attempt on the Fort at the Isle of Prince ; Davis killed 290 

autJjcnttc fl^fstors of tlje JUalaj) ]!)icateo 204 

Description of their Dows and Proas 20G 

Mr. Dalton’s Narrative • 210 

Deceitful character of the Malays. ' 213 

Commodore Downs sent to chastise the Malays 217 

Destruction of their Station at Quallah Battoo 219 

The Adventures of Captain Condent 221 

Pirates riding Priests about deck 223 

Condent and his men Pardoned 227 

The Life of Captain Edward Low 228 

Low takes possession of thirteen vessels at Port Rosemary 229 

The Pirates roughly handled by the Greyhound, Man-of-war 234 

Life and Adventures of Captain Edward England 236 

Horrid treatment of Captain Skinner 237 

Hazardous situation. of Captain Mackra 243 

Division df Plunder, etc .251 

Surrender of the Pirates *. 253 

Account of the Lynn Pirates «... .254 

Three of them taken 255 

Description of the Pirate’s cave at Lynn, (Mass.) 25G 

ffifstocs of tte ILaftcone Imitates 259 

Mistress Ching, a female Pirate .... 261 

Great Slaughter of the Chinese 263 

Mr. Glasspoole’s Narrative 264 

Heroism of a Chinese Woman 269 

Futile attack of the Mandarins 273 

The Life of Captain Lewis ......... r 286 

Lewis’s just treatment of a coward 288 

Lewis’s league with the Devil 291 

Life, Career, and Death of Captain Thomas White 2*. *5 

A quantity of Gold thrown into the Sea 297 

Life, Atrocities, and Bloody Death of Black Beard 311 

t Charleston, S. C. blockaded by Black Beard 313 

V . ^eut Maynard sent to take Black Beard 31d 


TABLE OF CONTENTS. 


%V 


Personal encounter between Lieut. Maynard and Black Beard 318 

Black Beard’s head nailed to the Bowsprit 319 

Ex|)loit8, Arrest, and Execution of Capt. Charles Vane. . .324 

Vane eludes pursuit 326 

Contention among his crew 327 

Vane arrested by Capt. Holford, and executed at Jamaica 329 

STfte KntJia 332 

Sketch of the West Indies 333 

Lieut. Allen, of the U. S. schr. Alligator, killed by the Pirates 335 

Captain Lincoln taken by the Pirates ^337 

Captain l.,incoln’s Journal, while a Prisoner 338 

Pirates taken by a Spanish Man-of-War 366 

Trial and Execution often Pirates 375 


The Adventures, and Execution of Capt. John Rackam . .379 


Daring exploit in capturing a Spanish Man-of-war 380 

Rackam taken by surprise 381 

Rackam and eight of his men executed at Port Royal 382 

Life and Exploits of Anne Bonney 383 

Her fate unknown 384 


Adventures and Heroism of Mary Read 365 

Courage of Mary, during an Attack of the enemy 387 

Her sex discovered by Anne Bonney 368 

Kills her Lover’s Antagonist .389 

of if)t ^iBcnnc Imitates 39i 

Sketch of Algiers 392 

Barbarities of the Algerines 397 

Escape of Wm. Oakley, and four of his Companions 399 

Different Expeditions fitted out against the Algerines 408 

First American Flag in the Bosphorus 411 

Lord Exmouth’s attack on Algiers ...414 

The French Expedition against Algiers 422 

Algiers in possession of the French 42.5 

Immense Treasures of the Algerines 427 

The Adventures, Trial and Execution of Capt. Gow 429 

Horrid butchery of Gow in obtaining his first vessel 430 

Gow taken, tried, and executed, with two others 431 

Pirate’s Song 432 


THE 


DANISH AM) NORMAN PIRATES. 



A. Priest thrown from the Pamparis of an Abbey, 

'^Fhe Saxons, a people supposed to be derived from the 
(hmbrl; uniting the occupations of fishing and piracy, com- 
menced at an early period their ravages in the German 
( Jcean ; and the shores of Gaul and Britain were for ages 
open to their depredations. About the middle of the fifth 
century, the unwarlike Vortigern, then king of Britain, 
embraced the fatal resolution of requesting these hardy 
warriors to deliver him from the harassing inroads of the 


14 


THE DANISH AND NORMAN PIRATES. 


Piets and Scots ; and the expedition of Hengist and Horsa 
was the consequence. Our mention of this memorable 
epoch is not fer its political importance, great as that is, 
but foi its effects on piracy ; for the success attending such 
enterprises seems to have turned the whole of the north- 
ern nations towards sea warfare. The Danes, Norwegi- 
ans, and Swedes, from their superior knowledge of navi 
gation, gave into it most ; and on whatever coast the w inds 
carried them, they made free with all that came in their 
way. Canute the Fourth endeavored in vain to repress 
these lawless disorders among his subjects ; but they fell 
80 galled by his restrictions, that they assassinated him. 
On the king o^ Sweden being taken by th^ Danes, per- 
mission was given to such of his subjects a chose to arm 
themselves against the enemy, pillage his p ^sessions, and 
sell their prizes at Ribnitz and Golnitz. ' his proved a 
fertile nursery of pirates, who became so fo nidable under 
the name of “ Victalien Broders,” that jveral princes 
w'ere obliged to arm against them, and hang some of their 
chiefs. 

Even the females of the North caught the epidemic 
spirit, and proudly betook themselves to the dangers of 
sea-life. Saxo-Grammaticus relates an interesting story 
of one of them. Alwilda, the daughter of Synardus, a 
Gothic king, to deliver herself from the violence imposed 
on her inclination, by a marriage with Alf, the son of Sy- 
garus, king of Denmark, embraced the life of a rover; 
and attired as a man, she embarked in a vessel of which 
the crew was composed of other young women of tried 
courage, dressed in the same manner. Among the first of 
her cruises, she landed at a place where a company of 
pirates were bewailing the loss of their commander ; and 
the strangers were so captivated wdth the air and agreeable 
manners of Alwilda, that they unanimously chose ner for 
their leader. By this reinforcement she became so formi- 
dable. that Priiice Alf was despatched to engage her. She 
sustained his attacks with great courage and talent ; but 
during a severe action in the gulf orTinland, Alf boarded 
her vessel, and having killed the greatest part of her crew, 
jeized the captain, namely herself; whom nevertheless he 
tiiew not, because she had a casque which covered he 




REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF FEMALE COURAGE. 


5 


visage. The prince was agreeably surprised, on removing 
the helmet, to recognise his beloved Alwilda ; and it seems 
that his valor had now recommended him to the fair prin- 
cess, for he persuaded her to accept his hand, married her 
on board, and then led her to partake of his wealth, and 
share his throne. 

Charlemagne, though represented as naturally generous 
and humane, had been induced, in his extravagant zeal for 
the propagation of those tenets which he had himself 
adopted, to enforce them throughout Germany at the point 
of the sword ; and his murders and decimations on that 
account disgrace humanity. The more warlike of the Pa- 
gans flying into Jutland, from whence the Saxons had 
issued forth, were received with kindness-, and furnished 
with the means of punishing their persecutor, by. harassing 
his coasts. The maratime towns of Vrance were especiallj 
ravaged by those pirates called Normands,” or men ol 
the North ; and it was owing to their being joined by many 
malcontents, in the provinces since called Normandy, that 
that district acquired its name. Charlemagne, roused by 
this effrontery, besides fortifying the mouths of the great 
rivers, determined on building himself a fleet, which he 
did, consisting of 400 of the largest galleys then known, 
some having five or six benches of oars. His people were, 
however, extremely ignorant of maratime affairs, and in 
the progress of having them taught, he was suddenly cal- 
led to the south, by the invasion of the Saracens. 

Another division of Normans, some years afterwards, in 
the same spirit of emigration, and thirsting, perhaps, to 
avenge their injured ancestors, burst into the provinces of 
France, which the degeneracy of Charlemagne’s posterity, 
and the dissensions which prevailed there, rendered an 
affair of no great difficulty. Louis le Debonnaire had 
taken every means of keeping on good terms with them ; 
annually persuading some to become Christians, and then 
sending them home so loaded with presents, that it was 
discovered they came to be baptized over and over again, 
merely for the sake of the gifts, as Du Chesne tells us. 
But on the subsequent division of the empire among the 
undutiful sons of Louis, the pirates did not fail to take ad- 
vantage of the general confusion ; braving the sea almost 


16 


THE DANISH AND NORMAN PIRATES. 


ever}' summer in their light coracles, sailing up the Seine^ 
the Somme, or the Loire, and devastating the best parts 
of France, alnmst without resistance. In 845, they went 
up to Paris, pillaged it, and were on the point of attacking 
the royal camp at St. Dennis ; but receiving a large sum 
of money from Charles the Bald, they retreated from thence, 
and with the new means thus supplied them, ravaged Bor- 
deaux, and were there joined by Pepin, king of Aquitaine. 
A few years afterwards, they returned in great numbers 
Paris was again sacked, and the magnificent abbey of St 
Germain des Pres burnt. In 861, Wailand, a famous Nor- 
man pirate, returning from England, took up his winter 
quarters on the banks of the Loire, devastated the coun- 
try as high as Tourraine, shared the women and girls 
among his crews, and even carried otf the male children, 
to be brought up in his own profession. Charles the Bald, 
not having the power to expel him, engaged the freebooter, 
for 500 j>ounds of silver, to dislodge his countrymen, who 
were harassing the vicinity of Paris. In consequence of 
this subsidy, Wailand, with a fleet of 260 sail, went up the 
Seine, and attacked the Normans in the isle ’of Giselle : 
after a long and obstinate resistance, they were obliged to 
capitulate ; and having paid 6000 pounds of gold and sil- 
ver, by way of ransom*, had leave to join their victors. The 
riches thus acquired rendered a predatory life so poj>ular, 
that the pirates were continually increasing in number, so 
that under a “ sea-king,” called Eric, they made a descent 
in the Elbe and the Weser, pillaged Hamburg, penetrated 
far into Germany, and after gaining two battles, retreated 
with immense booty. The pirates, thus reinforced on all 
sides, long continued to devastate Germany, France, and 
England ; some penetrated into Andalusia and Hetruria, 
where they destroyed the flourishing town of Luni ; whilst 
others descending the Dniper, penetrated even into Russia. 

Meanwhile the Danes had been making several attempts 
to effect a lodgment in England ; and allured by its fer- 
tility, were induced to try their fortune in various expedi- 
tions, which were occasionally completely successful, and 
at other times most fatally disastrous. At length, after a 
struggle of several years, their success was so decided, that 
king Alfred was obliged for a time to abandon his king- 


IRELAND DIVIDED BY PIRATES. 


17 


dom, as we all know, to their ravages. They immediately 
passed over to Ireland and divided it into three sovereign' 
ties ; that of Dublin fell to the share of Olauf ; that of Wa< 
terford to Sitrih ; and that of Limerick to Yivar. These 
arrangements dispersed the forces of the enemy, and watch- 
ing his opportunity, Alfred issued from his retreat, fell on 
them like a thunderbolt, and made a great carnage of 
them. This prince, too wise to exterminate the pirates 
after he had conquered them, sent them to sett e Nor- 
thumberland, which had been wasted by their countrymen, 
and by this humane policy gained their attachment and 
services. He then retook London, embellished it, equipped 
fleets, restrained the Danes in England, and prevented 
others f orn landing. In the twelve years of peace which 
followed his flfty-six battles, this great man composed his 
body of laws; divided England into counties, hundreds, 
and titliings, and founded the University of Oxford. But 
alter Alfred’s death, fresh swarms of pirates visited the 
shores, among the most formidable of whom were the 
Danes, who spread desolation and misery along the banks 
of the Thames, the Medway, the Severn, the Tamar, and 
the Avon, for more than a century, though repeatedly 
tempted to desist by weighty bribes, raised by an oppres- 
sive and ! umiliating tax called Danegeli, from its object 
and which, like, most others, were continued long after ii 
had answered its intent. 

About the end of the 9th century, one of the sons of 
Rognwald, count of the Orcades, named Horolf, or Rollo, 
having infested the coasts of Norway with piratical de- 
scents, was at length defeated and banished by Harold, 
king of Denmark. He fled for safety to the Scandinavian 
island of Soderoe, where finding many outlaws and discon- 
tented fugitives, he addressed their passions, and succeed<.‘d 
in placing himself at their head. Instead of measuring his 
sword with his sovereign again, he adopted the wiser policy 
of imitating his countrymen, in making his fortune by plun- 
dering the more opulent places of southern Europe. The 
first attempt of this powerful gang was upon England, 
where finding Alfred too powerful to be coped with, he 
stood over to the mouth of the Seine, and availed himself 
of the state to which France was reduced. Horolf, how- 


18 


THE DANISH AND NORMAN PIRATES. 


sver, did not limit his ambition to the acquisition of booty, 
ne wished permanently to enjoy some of the fine countries 
ne was ravaging, and after many treaties made and broken 
received the dutchy of Normandy from the lands of Charles 
the Simple, as a fief, together with Gisla, the daughter of 
the French monarch, in marriage. Thus did a mere pirate 
found the family which in a few years gave sovereigns to 
England, Naples, and Sicily, and spread the fame of their 
talents and prowess throughout the world. 

Nor w^as Europe open to the depredations of the north- 
ern pirates only. Some Asiatic moslems, having seized on 
Syria, immediately invaded Africa, and their subsequent 
conquests in Spain facilitated their irruption into France, 
where they pillaged the devoted country, with but few 
substantial checks. Masters of all the islands in the Med- 
iterranean, their corsairs insulted the coasts of Italy, and 
even threatened the destruction of the Eastern empire 
While Alexis was occupied in a war with Patzinaces, on 
the banks of the Danube, Zachas, a Saracen pirate, scoured 
the Archipelago, having, with the assistance of an able 
Smyrniote, constructed a flotilla of forty brigantines, and 
some light fast-rowing boats, manned by adventurers like 
himself. After taking several of the surrounding islands, 
he established himself sovereign of Smyrna, that place 
being about the centre of his newdy-acquired dominions. 
Here his fortunes prospered for a time, and Soliman, sul- 
tan of Nicea, son of the grand Soliman, sought his alliance, 
and married his daughter, about A. D. 1093. But in the 
following year, young Soliman being persuaded that his 
father-in-law had an eye to his possessions, with his own 
hand stabbed Zachas to the heart. The success of this 
freebooter shows that the Eastern emperors could no longei 
protect, or even assist, their islands. 

Maritime pursuits had now revived, the improvement of 
nautical science was progressing rapidly, and the advanta- 
ges of predatory expeditions, especially when assisted and 
masked by commerce, led people of family and acquire* 
ments to embrace the profession. The foremost of these 
were the Venetians and Genoese, among whom the private 
adventurers, stimulated by an enterprising spirit, fitted 
out armaments, and volunteered themselves into the ser 


ENGLAND ENGAGED IN PIRACY. 


19 


vice of those nations who thought proper to retain them ; 
or they engaged in such schemes of plunder as were likely 
to repay their pains and expense. About the same time, 
the Roxolani or Russians, became known in history, mak- 
ing their debut in the character of pirates, ravenous for 
booty, and hungry for the pillage of Constantinople — a 
longing which 900 years have not yet satisfied. Pouring 
hundreds of boats down the Borysthenes, the Russian ma- 
rauders made four desperate attempts to plunder the city 
of the Cajsars, in Ycss than two centuries, and appear only 
to have oeen repulsed by the dreadful effects of the cele- 
brated Greek fire. 

England, in the mean time, had little to do with piracy ; 
nor had she any thing worthy the name of a navy ; yet 
Coeur de Lion had given maritime laws to Europe ; her 
seamen, in point of skill, were esteemed superior to theii 
cotemporaries ; and King John enacted, that those foreign 
ships which refused to lower their flags to that of Britain 
should, if taken, be deemed lawful prizes. Under Henry 
ITL. though Hugh de Burgh, the govern^ of Dover Cas- 
tle, had defeated a French fleet, by casting lime into the 
eyes of his antagonists, the naval force was impaired to 
such a degree, that the Normans and Bretons were too 
powerful for the Cinque Ports, and compelled them to 
seek relief from the other ports of the kingdom. The 
taste for depredation had become so general and contagious, 
that privateers were now allowed to be fitted out, which 
equipments quickly degenerated to the most cruel of pirates. 
Nay more : on the disputes which took place between 
Henry and his Barons, in 1244, the Cinque Ports, who had 
shown much indifference to the royal requisitions, openly 
espoused the cause of the revolted nobles; and, under the 
orders of Simon de Montfort,. burnt Portsmouth. From 
this, forgetful of their motives for arming, they proceeded 
to commit various acts of piracy, and considering. nothing 
but their private interests, extended their violence not only 
against tlie shipping of all countries unfortunate enough to 
fall in their way, but even to perpetrate the most unwar- 
rantable ravages on the property of their own countrymen 
Nor was this confined to the Cinque Port vessels only ; the 
example and the profits were too stimulating to the rest 


20 THE DANISH AND NORMAN PIRATES. 

less ; and one daring association on the coast of Lincoln- 
shire seized the Isle of Ely, and made it their receptacle 
for the plunder of all the adjacent countries. One Wil- 
liam Marshall fortified the little island of Lund}% in the 
mouth of the Severn, and did so much mischief by his 
piracies, that at length it became necessary to fit out a 
squadron to reduce him, which w'as accordingly dohe, and 
he was executed in London ; yet the example did not deter 
other persons from similar practices The sovereign, how- 
ever,- did not possess sufficient naval means to suppress the 
enormities of the great predatory squadrons, and their 
ravages continued to disgrace the English name lor upwards 
of twenty years, when the valor and conciliation of the 
gallant Prince Edward brought them to that submission 
which his royal parent had faded in procuring. 

. Those “harum-scarum,’’ expeditions, the Cpjsades, were 
perhaps influential in checking piracy, although the ratable 
that composed the majority of them had as little principle 
as the worst of the freebooters. From the time that Peter 
the Hermit set iil^ope in a blaze, all ranks, and all nations, 
streamed to the East, so that few vessels were otherwise 
employed than in conveying the motly groups who sought 
the shores of Palestine; some from religious zeal: some 
from frantic fanaticism ; some from desire of distinction ; 
some for the numberless privileges which the crusaders 
acquired ; and the rest and greater portion, lor the 
spoil and plunder of which they had a prospect The 
armaments, fitted in no fewer than nine succf'ssive efforts, 
were mostly equipped with such haste and ignorance, and 
with so little choice, that ruinous delays, shipwrecks, and 
final discomfiture, were naturally to be expected. Still, 
the effect of such incredible numbers of people betaking 
themselves to foreign countries, advanced civilization, al- 
though vast means of forwarding its cause were buried in 
the East ; and those who assert that no benefit actually 
resulted, cannot deny that at least some evils were thereby 
removed. Montesquieu say^, that Europe then required a 
general shock, to teach her, by the sight of contrasts, the 
theorems of public economy most conducive to happiness 
And it is evident, that notwithstanding these follies w'asted 
the population of Europe, squandered its treasures, and 



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COMMERCE. 


23 


infected os with new vices and diseases, still the crusades 
diminished the bondage of the feudal system, by augment- 
ing the power of the King, and the strength of the Com 
mons ; while they also occasioned a very increased activity 
in commerce : thus taming the ferocity of men’s spirits 
increasing agriculture in value from the safety it enjoyed, 
tind establishing a base for permanent prosperity. 


< 





ADVENTURES AND EXPLOITS OF 

CAPTAIN, A VERY. 

Contninmg an Account of his capturing one oj the 
great MoguVs ship^s ladf ii with treasure : and an 
iliteresting history of a colony of Pirates on the 
island of Madagascar, % 



Captain Avery engaging the Great MoguVs Ship. 


During his own time the adventures of Captain Avery 
were the subject of general conversation in Europe. It 
was reported that he had married the Great Mogul’s 


AVERY RUNS OFF WITH THE SHIP. 


25 


daughter, who was taken in an Indian ship that fell into 
his hands, and that he was about to be the founder of a 
new monarchy — that he gave commissions in his own 
name to the captains of his ships, and the commanders of 
his forces, and was acknowledged by them as their prince. 
In consequence of these reports, it was at one time re- 
solved to fit out a strong squadron to go and take him 
and his men ; and at another time it was proposed to in- 
vite him home with all his riches, by the offer of his Maj- 
esty’s pardon. These reports, however, were soon discov- 
ered to be groundless, and he was actually starving with- 
out a shilling, while he was represented as in the possession 
of millions. Not to exhaust the patience, or lessen the 
curiosity of the reader, tlie facts in Avery’s life shall be 
briefly related. 

He was a native of Devonshire, (Eng.) and at an early 
period sent to sea ; advanced to the station of a mate in a 
merchantman, he performed several voyages. It happened, 
previous to the peace of Ryswick, when there existed an 
alliance between Spain, England, Holland, and other pow 
ers, against France, that the French in Martinique carried 
on a smuggling trade with the Spaniards on the continent 
of Peru. To prevent their intrusion into the Spanish do- 
minions, a few vessels were commanded to cruise upon that 
coast, but the French ships were too strong for them ; the 
Spaniards, therefore, came to the resolution of hiring for- 
eigners to act against them. Accordingly, certain mer- 
chants of Bristol fitted out two ships of thirty guns, well 
manned, and provided with every necessary munition, and, 
commanded them to sail for Corunna to receive their 
orders. 

Captain Gibson commanded one of these ships, and 
Avery ^pekrs to have been his mate, in the year 1715 
He was a fellow of more cunning than courage, and insin- 
uating himself into the confidence of some of the boldest 
men in the ship, he represented the immense riches which 
were to be acquired upon the Spanish coast, and proposed 
to run off With the ship. The proposal was scarcely made 
when it was agreed upon, and put in execution at ten 
o’clock the following evening. Captain Gibson was one 
of those who mightily love their bottle, and spent much 


26 


THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN AVERT. 


of his time on shore ; but he remained on board that night, 
which did not, however, frustrate their design, because lie 
had taken his usual dose, and so went to bed. The men ' 
who were not in the confederacy went also to bed, leaving 
none upon deck but the conspirators. At the time agreed 
upon, the long boat of the other ship came, and Avery 
hailing her in the usual manner, he was answered by the 
men in her, Is your drunken boatswain on board ? ” which 
was the watchword agreed between them. Avery reply- 
ing in the affirmative, the boat came alongside with sixteen 
stout fellows, who joined in the adventure. They next 
secured the hatches, then softly weighed anchor, and im- 
mediately put to sea without bustle or noise. There were 
several vessels in the bay, besides a Dutchman of forty 
guns, the captain of which was offered a considerable re- 
ward to go in pursuit of Avery, but he declined. When 
the captain awoke, he rang his bell, and Avery and another 
conspirator going into the cabin, found him yet half asleep. 
He inquired, saying, “ What is the matter with the ship ? 
does she drive ? what weather is it ? ” supposing that it 
had been a storm, and that the ship was driven from her 
anchors. “ No, no,” answered Avery, “ we’re at sea, with 
a fair wind and a good weather.” “ At sea ! ” said the 
captain : “ how can that be ? ” “ Come,” answered Avery, 

“ don’t be in a fright, but put on your clothes, and I'll let 
you into a secret. You must know that I am captain of 
this ship now, and this is my cabin, therefore you must 
walk out ; I am bound to Madagascar, with a design of 
making my own fortune, and that of all the brave fellows 
joined with me.” 

The captain, having a little recovered his senses, began 
to understand his meaning. However, his fright was as 
great as before, which Avery perceiving, desired^him to 
fear nothing ; “ for,” said he, “ if you have a mind to make 
one of us, we will receive you ; and if you turn sober, and 
attend to business, perhaps in time I may make you one 
of my lieutenants ; if not, here’s a boat, and you shall be 
set on shore.” Gibson accepted of the last proposal ; and 
the whole crew being called up to know who was willing 
to go on shore with the captain, there weje only about 
five or six who chose to accompany him. 


c 


i 


ATTACK THE MOGUL S SHIP. 


27 


Avery proceeded on his voyage ‘ to Madagascar, and it 
does not appear that he captured any vessels upon his way 
When arrived ai the northeast part of that island, he found 
two shiops at anchor, which, upon seeing him, slipped their 
cables, and ran themselves ashore, while the men. all landed 
and concealed themselves in the woods. These were two 
sloops which the men had run off with from the East In- 
dies, and seeing Avery’s ship, supposed that he had been 
sent out’after them. Suspecting who they were, he 'sent 
some of his men on shore to inform them that they were 
friends, and to propose a union for their common safety. 
The sloops’ me« being well armed, had posted themselves 
in a wood, and placed sentinels to observe whether the 
ship’s men w'ere landed to pursue them. The sentinels 
only observing two or three men conning towards them 
unarmed, did not oppose them. Upon being informed 
that they were friends, the sentinels conveyed them to the 
main body, where they delivered their message. They 
were at first afraid that it was a stratagem to entrap them, 
but when the messengers assured them that their captain 
had also run away with his ship, and that a 'few of their 
men along with him would meet them unarmed, to con- 
sult matters for their common advantage, confidence was 
established, and they were mutually well pleased, as it 
added to their strength. 

Having consulted what was most proper to be attempted 
they endeavored to get off the sloops, and hastened to pre' 
pare all things, in order to sail for the Arabian coast 
Near the river Indus, the man at the mast-head espied a 
sail, upon which they gave chase ; as they came nearer to 
her, they discovered that she was a tall vessel, and might 
turn out to be an East Indiaman. She, however, proved 
a better prize ; for when they fired at her she hoisted Mo-" 
gul colors, and seemed to stand upon her defence. Avery 
only cannonaded at a distance, when some of his men be- 
gan to suspect that he was not the hero they had supposed. 
The sloops, however attacked, the one on the bow, and 
another upon the quarter of the ship, and so boarded her. 
She then struck her colors. She was one of the Great 
Mogul’s own ships, and there w^ere in her several of the 
greatest persons in his court, among whom, it was said. 


28 THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN AVERY. 

was one of his daughters going upon a pilgrimage lo 
Mexca; and they were carrying with them rich offerings 
to present at the shrine of Mahomet. It is a well known 
fact, that the people of the east travel with great magnifi- 
cence, so that these had along with them all their sla\es 
and attendants, with a large quantity of vessels of gold and 
silver, and immense sums of money to defiay their expen- 
ses by land ; the spoil therefore which they received from 
that ship was almost incalculable. 

Taking the treasure on board their own ships, and plun- 
dering their prize of every thing valuable, they then allow ed 
her to depart. As soon as the Mogul rcispived this inte.- 
ligence, he threatened to send a mighty army to extirpate 
the English from all their settlements upon the Indian 
coast. The East India Company were greatly alarmed, 
but found means to calm his resentment, by promising to 
search for the robbers, and deliver them into his hands. 
The noise which this made over all Europe, gave birth to 
the rumors that were circulated concerning Avery’s great 
ness. 

In the mean time, our adventurers made the best of 
their way back to Madagascar, intending to make that 
place the deposit of all their treasure, to build a sma/1 fort, 
and to keep always a few men there for its protection. 
Avery, however, disconcerted this plan, and rendered it 
altogetlier unnecessary. 

While steering their course, Avery sent a boat to each 
of the sloops, requesting that the chiefs would come on 
board his ship to hold a conference. They obeyed, and 
being assembled, he suggested to them the necessity of 
securing the property which they had acquired in some 
safe place on shore, and observed, that the chief difficulty 
w'as to get it safe on shore ; adding that, if either of the 
sloops should be attacked alone, they would not be able to 
make any great resistance, and thus she must either be 
sunk or taken with all the property on board. That, for 
his part, his ship was so strong, so well manned, and such 
a swift-sailing vessel, that he did not think it was possible 
for any other ship to take or overcome her. Accordingly, 
he proposed that all their treasure should be sealed up in 
three chests ; — that each of the captains should have kevs 


REMOVAL OF THE TREASURE. 


29 


and that they should not be opened until all were present , 
— that the chests should be then put on board his ship 
and afterwards lodged in some safe place upon land. 



Captain Avery receiving the three chests of Treasure on 
hoard of his Ship. 


This proposal seemed so reasonable, and so much for 
the common good, that it was without hesitation agreed 
to, and all the treasure deposited in three chests, and car- 
ried to Avery’s ship* The weather being favorable, they 
remained all three in company during that and tie neit 
day ; meanwhile Avery, tampering with his men, suggest- 
ed, that they had now on board what was sufficient to 
make them all happy; “and what,” continued he, “should 
hinder us from going to some country wliere we are not 
known, and living on shore all the rest of our |;lays in plen* 
ty?” They soon understood his hint, and afl readily con- 
sented to deceive the men of the sloops, and fly with d' 
3 * 


30 THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN AVERT. 

the booty; this they effected during the darkness of the 
following night. The reader may easily conjecture what 
were the feelings and indignation of the other two crews in 
the morning, when they discovered that Avery had made 
off with all their property. 

Avery and his men hastened towards America, and be- 
ing strangers in that country, agreed to divide the bocty, 
to change their names, and each separately to take up lis 
residence, and live in affluence and honor. The first land 
they approached was the Island of Providence, then newly 
settled. It however occurred to them, that the largeness 
of their vessel, and the report that one had been run off 
with from the Groine, might create suspicion ; they re 
solved therefore to dispose of their vessel at Providence. 
Upon this resolution, Avery, pretending that his vessel had 
been equipped fqr privateering, and having been unsuc- 
cessful, he had orders from the owners to dispose of her to 
the best advantage, soon found a merchant. Having thus 
sold his own ship, he immediately purchased a small sloop. 

In this he and his companions embarked, and landed at 
several places in America, where, none suspecting them, 
they dispersed and settled* in the country. Avery, how- 
ever, had been careful to conceal the greater part of the 
jewels and other valuable articles, so tliat his riches were 
immense. Arriving at Boston, he was almost resolved to 
settle there, but, as the greater part of his wealth consisted 
of diamonds, he was apprehensive that he could not dis- 
pose of them at that place, without being taken up as a pi- 
rate. Upon reflection, therefore, he resolved to sail for 
Ireland, and in a short time arrived in the northern part of 
that kingdom, and his men dispersed into several places. 
Some of them obtained tlie pardon of King William, and 
settled in that country. 

The wealth of Avery, however, now proved of small 
service, and occasioned him great uneasiness. He could 
not offer his diamonds for sale in that country without be- 
ing suspected. Considering, therefore, what was best to 
be done, he thought there might be some person at Bristol 
he could venture to trust. Upon this he resolved, and go- 
ing into De^nshire, sent to one of his friends to meet him 
at a town called Bideford. When he had unbosomed him* 


WRETCHED FATE OF AVERY. 


31 


self to him and other pretended friends, they agreed that 
the safest plan would be to put his effects into the hands of 
some wealthy merchants, and no inquiry would be made 
how they came by them. One of these friends told him* 
he was acquainted with some who were very fit for the 
purpose, and if he would allow them a handsome commis- 
sion, they would do the business faithfully. Avery liked 
th© proposal, particularly as he could think of no other way 
of managing this matter, since he could not appear to act 
for himself. Accordingly, the merchants paid Avery a 
visit at Bideford, where, after strong protestations of honor 
and integrity, he delivered them his effects, consisting of 
diamonds and some vessels of gold. After giving him a 
little money for his present subsistence, they departed. 

He changed his name, and lived quietly at Bideford, so 
that no notice was taken of him. In a short time his mon- 
ey was all spent, and he heard nothing from his merchants 
though he wrote to them repeatedly ; at last they sent him 
a small supply, but it was not sufficient to pay his debts. 
In short, the remittances they sent him were so trifling, 
that he could with difficulty exist. He therefore deter- 
mined to go privately to Bristol, and have an interview 
with the merchants himself, — where, instead of money, he 
met with a mortifying repulse ; for, when he desired them 
to come to an account with him, they silenced him by 
threatening to disclose his character ; the merchants thus 
proving themselves as good pirates on land as he was at 
sea. 

Whether he was frightened by these menaces, or had 
seen some other person who recognised him, is not known ; 
However, he went immediately to Ireland, and from thence 
solicited his merchants very strongly for a supply, but to 
no purpose ; so that he was reduced to beggary. In this 
extremity he was determined to return, and cast himself 
upon the mercy of these honest Bristol merchants, let the 
consequence be what it would. He went on board a tra- 
tiing-vessel, and w'orked his passage over to Plymouth, from 
whence he travelled on foot to Bideford. He had been 
there but a few days, when he fell sick ajid died ; not be- 
ng worth so much as w'ould buy him a coffin ! 

Wo shall now turn back and give our readers some ac 


39 THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN AVERY. 

count of the other two sloops. Deceiving themselves in 
the supposition that Avery had outsailed them during the 
night, they held on their course to the place of rendez- 
vous ; but, arriving there, to their sad disappointment no 
ship appeared. It was now necessary for them to consult 
what was most proper to do in their desperate circumstan- 
ces. . Their provisions were nearly exhausted, and both 
fish and fowl \<'ere to be found on shore,, yet they were 
destitute of salt to cure them. As they could not subsist 
at sea without salt provisions, they resolved to form an es- 
tablishment upon land. Accordingly making tents ol the 
sails, and iisin^ the other materials of the sloops for what 
purposes they could serve^ they encamped upon the shore. 
It was also a fortunate circumstance, that they had plenty 
of ammunition and small arms. ELere they met with some 
of their countrymen ; and as the digression is short, we 
will inform our readers how they came to inhabit this 
place. 

Captain George Dew, and Thomas Tew% had received a 
commission from the Governor of Bermuda to sail for the 
river Gambia, in Africa, that, with the assistance of the 
Royal African Company, they might seize the French Fac- 
tory situated upon that coast. Dew, in a violent storm, 
not only sprang a mast, but lost sight of his companion. 
Upon this he returned to refit. Instead of proceeding in 
his voyage, Tew made low'ards the Cape of Good Hope, 
doubled that cape, and sailed for the straits of Babel-Man- 
dei. There he met with a large ship richly laden coming 
from the Indies, and bound for Arabia. Though she had 
on board three hundred soldiers, besides seamen, yet Tew 
had the courage to attack her, and soon made her his, 
prize. It is reported, that by this one prize every man 
shared near three thousand pounds. Informed by the 
prisoners that five other ships were to pass that way. Tew 
would have attacked them, but was prevented by the re- 
monstrances of his quarter-master and others. This dif- 
ference of opinion terminated in a. resolution to abandon 
the sea, and to settle on some convenient spot on shore ; 
and the island ^Madagascar was chosen. Tew, how^ever, 
h d a few others, iij a short time went for Rhode Island . 
and obtained a pardon. 


PLOT OF THE NEGROES. 


33 


The natives of Madagascar are negroes, but differ from 
those of Guinea in the length of their hair and in the bltick- 
ness of their complexion. They are divided into small na- 
tions, each governed by its own prince, who carry on a 
continual war upon each other. The prisoners taken in 
war are either rendered slaves to the conquerors, sold, or 
slain, according to pleasure. WHfh the pirates first set- 
tled among them, their alliance was much courted by these 
princes, and those whom they joined were always success- 
ful in their wars, the natives being ignorant of the use of 
fire-arms. Such terror did they carry along with them, 
that the very appearance of a few pirates in an army would 
have put the opposing force to flight. 

By these means they in a little time became very formi- 
dable, and the prisoners whom they took in war they em- 
ployed in cultivating the ground, and the most beautiful of 
the women they married *; nor were they contented with 
one, but married as many as they could conveniently main- 
tain. The natural result was. that they separated, each 
choosing a convenient place for himself, where he lived in 
a princely style, surrounded by his wives, slaves and de- 
pendants. Nor was it long before jarring interests exci- 
ted them also to draw the sword against each other, and 
they appeared at the head of their respective forces in the 
field of battle. In these civil wars their number and 
strength were greatly lessened. 

The servant, exalted to the condition of a master, gen- 
erally becomes a tyrant. These pirates, unexpectedly el- 
evated to the dignity of petty princes, used their power 
with the most wanton barbarity. The punishment of the 
very least offence was to be tied to a tree, and instantly 
snot through the head. The negroes, at length, exaspera- 
ted by continued oppression, formed the determination of 
extirpating them in one night ; nor was it a difficult matter 
to accomplish this, since they were now so much divided 
both in affection and residence. Fortunately, however, 
for them, a negro woman, who was partial to them, ran 
twenty miles in three hours, and warning th-em of their 
danger, they were united and in arms to oppose the ne- 
groes before the latter had assembled. This narrow escape 
made them more cautious, and induced them to adopt the 
following system of policy •— 


34 


THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN AVERT. 


Convinced that fear was not a sufficient protection, ana 
that the bravest man might be murdered by a coward in 
his bed, they labored to foment wars among the negro 
princes, while they themselves declined to aid either party. 
It naturally followed, that those who were vanquished fled 
to them for protection, aiKl increased their strength. When 
there was no war, the^^fomented private discords, and en- 
couraged them to wreak their vengeance against each 
other; nay, even taught them how to -surprise their oppo- 
nents, and furnished them with fire-arms, with which to 
dispatch them more effectually and expeditiously. The 
consequences were, that the murderer was constrained to 
fly to them for protection, with his wives, children, and 
kindred. These, from interest, became true friends, as 
their own safety depended upon the lives of their protec- 
tors. By this time the pirates were so formidable, that 
none of the negro princes durst attack them in open war. 

Pursuing this system of policy, in a short time each 
chief had his party greatly increased, and they divided like 
so many tribes, in order to find ground to cultivate, and to 
choose proper places to build places of residence and erect 
garrisons of defence. The fears that agitated them were 
always obvious in their general policy, for they vied with 
each other in constructing places of safety, and using every 
precaution to prevent the possibility of sudden danger, 
either from the negroes or from one another. 

A description .of one of these dwellings will both show 
the fears that agitated these tyrants, and prove entertain- 
ing to the reader. They selected a spot overgrown with 
wood, near a river, and raised a rampart or ditch round it, 
so straight and steep that it was impossible to climb it, 
more particularly by those who had no scaling ladders. 
Over that ditch there was one passage into the wood ; the 
dwelling, which was a hut, was built in that part of the 
wood which the prince thought most secure, but so cov- 
ered that it could not be discovered until you came near 
it. Bnt the greatest ingenuity was displayed in the con- 
structiort of the passage that led to the hut, which was so 
marrow, that no more than one person could go abreast, 
and it was contrived in so intricate a manner, that it was a 
perfect labyrinth ; the way going round and round, with 


SAVAGE APPEARANCE OF THE PIRATES. 


35 


several small crossways, so that a person unacquainted 
v/ith it, might walk several hours without finding the hut. 
Along tlie sides of these paths, certain large thorns, which 
grew on a tree in that country, were stuck into the ground 
with their points outwards ; and the path itself being ser- 
pentine, as before mentioned, if a man should attempt to 
approach the hut at night, he would certainly have struck 
upon these thorns. 

Thus like tyrants they lived, dreading, and dreaded by 
ill, and in this state they were found by Captain Woods 
Rodgers, wjien he went to Madagascar in the Delicia, a 
ship of forty guns, with the design of purchasing slaves 
He touched upon a part of the island at which no ship had 
been seen for seven or eight years before, where he met 
with some pirates who had been upon the island above 
twenty-five ye.ars. There were only eleven of the original 
stock then alive, surrounded with a numerous offspring of 
children and grandchildren. 

They were struck with terror upon the sight of the ves 
sel, supposing that it was a man-of-war sent out to appre- 
hend them ; they, therefore, retired to their secret habita- 
tions. But when they found some of the ship’s crew on 
shore, without any signs of hostility, and proposing to treat 
with them for slaves, they ventured to come out of their 
dwellings attended like princes. Having been so long up- 
on the island, their cloaks w^ere so much worn, that their 
majesties were extremely out at elbows. It cannot be said 
that they were ragged, but they had nothing to cover them 
but the skins oT beasts in their natural state, not even a 
shoe or stocking ; so that they resembled the pictures ol 
Hercules in the lion’s skin ; and being overgrown with 
beard, and hair upon their bodies, they appeared the most 
savage figures that the human imagination coulc^well c on- 
ceive. 

The sale of the slaves in their possession soon provided 
them with more suitable clothes, and all other necessaries, 
which they received in exchange. Meanwhile, they be- 
came very familiar^ went frequently on board, and were 
very, eager in examining the inside of the ship, talking very 
familiarly tvith the men, and inviting them on shore 
Their design was to surprise the ship during the night 


36 


THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN AVERY. 


They had a sufficient number of men and boats to eftect 
their purpose, but the captain suspecting them, kept so 
strong a watch upon deck, that they found it in vain to 
hazard an attempt. When some of the men went on 
shore, they entered into a plan to seize the ship, but the 
captain observing their familiarity, prevented any one oi 
his men from speaking to the pirates, and only permitted 
a confidential person to purchase their slaves. Thus he 
departed from the island, leaving these pirates to enjoy 
their savage royalty. One of them had been a waterman 
upon t[»e Thames, and having committed a murder, fled to 
tlie West Indies. The re.-t had all been foremast-men, 
nor was there one among them who could either read oi 
write. 



Captain Avery^s Treasure, 


THE REMARKABLE HISTORY OF THE 

JOASSAMEE PIRATES, 


OF THE PERSIAN GULF. 

Containing a description of their chief town, Ras ElKhyma, 
and an account of the capture of several European vessels, 
and. the barbarous treatment of their crews , — With inter-^ 
esting details of the several expeditions sent against them, 
and. their final submission to the troops of the English 
East India Company. 



A Joassamee Dow in full chase. 


The line of coast from Cape Mussenndom to Bahrain, 
on the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf, had been from 
4 


38 


THE JOASSAMEE PIRATES. 


time immemorial occupied by a tribe of Arabs called Jo- 
assamees. These, from local position, were all engaged • 
in maritime pursuits. Some traded in their own small 
vessels to Bussorah, Bushire, Muscat, and even India ; 
others annually fished in their own boats on the pearl banka 
of Bahrain; and a still greater number hired themselves 
out as sailors to navigate the coasting small craft of the 
Persian Gulf. 

The Joassamees at length perceiving that their local po- 
sition enabled them to reap a rich harvest by plundering 
vessels in passing this great highway of nations, com- 
menced their piratical career. The small coasting ves- 
sels of the gulf, from their defenceless state, were the first 
object of thei pursuit, and these soon fell an easy prey ; 
until, emboldened by success, they directed their views to 
more arduouf mterprises, and having tasted the sweets of 
plunder in the increase of their wealth, had determined to 
attempt more promising victories. 

About the year 1797, one of the East India Company’s 
vessels of war, the Viper, of ten guns, was lying at anchor 
in the inner roads of Bushire. Some dows of the Joassa- 
mees were at the same moment anchored in the harbor , 
but as their warfare had hitherto been waged only agains! 
what are called native vessels, and they had either feared 
or respected the British flag, no hostile measures were ever 
pursued against them by the British ships.^ The com- 
manders of these dows had applied to the Persian agent 
of the East India Company there, for a supply of gun- 
powder and cannon shot for their cruise : and as this man 
had no suspicions of their intentions, he furnished them 
with an order to the commanding officer on board for the 
quantity required. The captain of-the Viper was on shore 
at the time, in the agent’s house, but the order being pro- 
duced to the officer on board, the powder and shot weie 
delivered, and the dows weighed and made sail. The crew 
of the Viper were at this moment taking their breakfast on 
deck, and the officers below; when on a sudden, a can- 
nonading was opened on them by two of the dows, who 
attempted also to board 

The officers, leaping on deck, called the crew to quar- 
'<rs, and cutting their cable, got sail upon the ship, so a 


A DESPERATE CONTEST. 


39 


to have the advantage of manceuvring. A regular engage- 
ment now took place between this small cruiser and lour 
dows, all armed with great guns, and full of men. In the 
contest Lieut. Carruihers, the commanding officer, was 
once wounded by a ball in the loins ; but after girding a 
handkerchief round his waist, he still kept the deck, till a 
ball entering his forehead, he fell. Mr. Salter, the mic- 
shipman on whom the comrhand devolved, continued the 
fight with determined bravery, and after a stout resistance, 
beat them off, chased them some distance out to sea, and 
subsequently regained the anchorage in safety. 

Several years elapsed before the wounds of the first de- 
feat were sufficiently healed to induce a second attempt 
on vessels under the British flag, though a constant state 
of warfare was still kept up against the small craft of the 
gulf. In 1804, the East India Company’s cruiser. Fly, was 
taken by a French privateer, off the Island of Kenn, in the 
Persian Gulf; but before the enemy boarded her, she ran 
into shoal water, near that island, and sunk the govern- 
ment dispatches, and some treasure with which they were 
charged, in about two and a half fathoms of water, taking 
marks for the recovery of them, if possible, at some future 
period. The passengers and crew were taken to Bushire 
where they were set at liberty, and having purchased a 
country dow by subscription, they fitted her out and com- 
menced their voyage down the gulf, bound for Bombay. 
On their passage down, as they thought it would be pract- 
icable to recover the government packet and treasure sunk 
off Kenn, they repaired to that island, and were success- 
ful after much exertion, in recovering the former, which 
being in their estimation of the first importance, as the dis- 
patches were from England to Bombay, they sailed with 
them on their way thither, without loss of time. 

Near the mouth of the gulf, they were captured by a 
fleet of Joassamee ooats, after some resistance, in which 
several were wounded and taken into their chief port at 
Ras-el-Khyma. Here they were detained in hope of ran- 
som, and during their stay were shown to the people of the 
town as curiosities, no similar beings having been before 
seen there within the memory of man. The Joassamee 
ladies were so minute in their enquiries, indeed, that they 


40 


THE JOASSAMEE PIRATES. 


wore not satisfied without determining in what respect tin 
Mneircumcised infidel differed from a true believer. 

VVlien these unfortunate Englishmen had remained for [ 
several months in the possession of the Arabs, and no hope 
of their ransom appeared, it was determined to put them 
to death, and thus rid themselves of unprofitable enemies. 

An anxiet}' to preserve life, however, induced the sugges- 
tion, on their parts, of a plan for the temporary prolonga- 
tion of it, at least. With this view they communicated to 
the chief of the pirates the fact of their having sunk a 
quantity of treasure near the island of Kenn, and of tlieir 
knowing'the marks of the spot, by the bearings of objects 
on shore, with sufficient accuracy to recover it, if furnished 
with good divers. They offered, therefore, to purchase 
their own liberty, by a recovery of this money for their 
captors ; and on the fulfillment of their engagement it was 
solemnly promised to be granted to them. 

They soon sailed for the spot, accompanied by divers 
accustomed to that occupation on the pearl banks of Bah- 
rain ; and, on their anchoring at the precise points of bear- ; 
ing taken, they commenced their labors. The first divers 
who went down were so successful, that all the crew fol- 
lowed in their turns, so that the vessel was at one time 
almost entirely abandoned at anchor. As the men, too, ; 
were all so busily occupied in their golden harvest, the 
moment appeared favorable for escape ; and the still cap- ; 
tive Englishmen were already -at their stations to over- i 
power the few on board, cut the cable, and make sail. ? 
Their motions were either seen or suspected, as the divers 
repaired on board in haste, and the schema was thus frus- 
trated. They were now given their liberty as promised, 
by being landed on the island of Kenn, where, however, 
no means offered for their immediate escape. The pirates, 
having at the same time landed themselves on the island, 
commenced a general massacre of the inhabitants, in which \ 
iheir released prisoners, fearing they might be included, 
fled for shelter to clefts and hiding places in the rocks. 
During their refuge here, they lived on such food as chance 
threw in their way ; going out under cover of the night to 
steal a goat and drag it to their haunts. When the pirates 
^ -id at length completed their work of blood, and either 


ESCAPE ON A RAFT. 


41 


murdered or driven off every former inhabitant of the 
island, they quitted it theqjselves, with the treasure which 
they had thus collected from the sea and shore. The 
Englishmen now ventured to come out from their hiding 
places, and to think of devising some means of escape. 
Their good fortune in a moment of despair, threw them on 
the wreck of a boat, near the beach, which was still capa- 
ble of repair. In searching about the now deserted town, 
other materials were found, which were of use to them, 
and sufficient plank and logs of wood for the construction 
of a raft. These were both completed in a few days, and 
the party embarked on them in two divisions, to effect a 
passage to the Persian shore. One of these rafts was 
lost in the attempt, and all on board her perished ; while 
the raft, with the remainder of the party reached safe. 

Having gained the main land they. now set out on foot 
tovVards Bushire, following the line of the coast for the 
sake of the villages* and water. In this they are said to 
have suffered incredible hardships and privations of every 
kind. No one kmew the language of the country perfectly, 
and the roads and places of refreshment still less ; they 
were in general destitute of clothes and money, and con- 
stantly subject to plunder and imposition, poor as they 
were. Their food was therefore often scanty, and always 
of the worst kind ; and they had neither shelter from the 
burning sun of the day, nor from the chilling dews of 
night. 

The Indian sailors, sipakees-, and servants, of whom a 
tew were still remaining when they set out, had all drop- 
ped off by turns; and even Europeans had been aban 
doned on the road, in the most affecting way, taking a 
last adieu of their comrades, who had little else to expect 
but soon to follow their fate. One instance is mentioned 
of their having left one who could march no further, at 
the distance of only a mile from a village ; and on return- 
ing to the spot on the morrow, to bring him in, nothing 
was found but his mangled bones, as he had been devour- 
ed in the night by jackalls. The packet being light was 
still, however, carried by turns, and preserved through all 
obstacles and difficulties ; and with it they reached at 
length the island of Busheap, to v/hich they crossed ovei 

4* D 


42 


THE JOASSAMEE PIRATES 


in a boat from the main. Here they were detained by the 
Sheik, but at length lie provided ’them with a boat for the 
conveyaiiceof themselves and dispatches toBushire. From \ 
this place .they proceeded to Bombay, but ot all the com- 
pany only two survived. A Mr. Jowl, an officer of a 
merchant ship, and an English sailor named Penmel together 
with the bag of .eiters and dispatches. 

In the following year, two English brigs, the Shannon, 
Capt. Babcock, and the- Trimmer, Capt. Cummings, were 
on their voyage from Bombay to Bussorah. These were 
both attacked, near the Islands of Polior and K^nn, by 
several boats, and after a slight resistance on the part of 
. the Shannon only, were taken possession of, and a part 
of the crew* of each, cruelly put to the sword. Capt. 
Babcock, having been seen by one of the Arabs to 
discharge a musket during the contest, was taken by them 
on shore ; and after a consultation on his fate, it wa& de- 
termined that he should forfeit the arm by which tliis act 
of resistance was 'committed. It was accordingly severed 
from his body by one stroke of a sabre, and no steps were 
taken either to bind up the wound, or to prevent his 
bleeding to death. The captain, himself, had yet suffi- 
cient prei^ence of mind left, however, to think of his own 
safety, and there being near him some clarified butter, he 
procured this to be heated, and wF e yet warm, thrust 
the bleeding stump of his arm into it. It had the eflfect of 
lessening the effusion of blood, and viltimately of saving a 
life that would otherwise most probably have been lost. 
The crew' were then all made prisoners, and taken to a 
port of Arabia, from w hence they gradually dispersed and 
escaped. The vessels themselves w ere additionally armed, 
one of them mounting twenty guns, manned with Arab 
crews, and sent from Ras-el-Khyma to cruise in the gulf, 
where they committed many piracies. 

In the year 1608, the force of the Joassamees having 
gradually increased, and becoming flushed with the pride 
of victory, their insulting attacks on the British flag were 
more numerous'and more desperate than ever. The first 
of these w as on the ship Minerva, of Bombay, on lier voy- 
age to Bussorah. The attack was commenced by several 
boats, (for they never cruize singly,) and a spirited resis ^ 


DREADFUL MASSACRE. 


43 


tance in a running fight was kept up at intervals for sev- 
eral days in succession. A favorable moment olTered, 
however, for boarding; the ship was overpowered by 
numbers, and carried amidst a general massacre. The 
captain was said to have been cut up into separate pieces, 
and thrown overboard by fragments ; the second mate and 
carpenter alone were spared, probably to make use of 
their services ; and an Armenian lady, the wnfe of Lieut. 
Taylor, then at Bushire, was reserved perhaps for still 
greater sufterings. But was subsequently ransomed for a 
large sum. 

A few weeks after this, the Sylph, one of the East In- 
dia Company’s cruisers, of sixty tons and mounting eight 
guns, was accompanying the mission under Sir Harford 
Jones, from Bombay, to Persia ; when being separated from 
the rest of the squadrori, she was attacked in the gulf by 
a fleet of dows. These bore down with all the menacing 
attitude of hostility ; but as the commander, Ideut. Gra- 
ham had received orders from the Bombay government, 
not to open his fire on any of these vessels until he had 
been first fired on himself, the ship was hardly prepared 
for battle, and the colors were not even hoisted to apprise 
them to what nation she belonged. The dows approached, 
threw their long overhanging prows across the Sylph’s 
beam, and pouring in a shower of stones on her deck, 
beat down and wounded almost every one who stood on 
it. They then boarded, and made the ship an easy prize, 
before more than a single shot had been fired, and in 
their usual way, put every one whom they found alive to 
the sword. Lieut. Graham fell, covered with wounds, 
down the fore hatchway of his own vessel, where he was 
dragged by some of the crew into a store room, in which 
they had secreted themselves, and barricadoed the door 
with a crow-bar from within. The cruiser was thus com- 
pletely in the possession of the enemy, who made sail on 
her, and were bearing her off in triumph to their own port, 
in company with their boats. Soon after, nowever, the 
commodore of the squadron in the Neried frigate hove in 
sight, and perceiving this vessel in company wuth the 
dows, judged her to be a prize to the pirates. She ac- 
cordingly gave them all chase, and coming up with the 


44 


THE JOASSAMEK PIRATES 


brig, the Arabs took to their boats and abandoned her 
The chase was continued after tlie aows, but without suc- 
cess. 



The N tried Frigate chasing a Fleet of Joassamee Dows, 


These repeated aggressions at length opened the eyes 
of the East India Government, and an expedition was 
accordingly assembled at Bombay. The naval force con- 
sisted of La Chiffone, frigate, Capt. Wainwright, as com- 
modore. The Caroline of thirty-eight guns ; and eight of 
the East India Company's cruisers, namely, the JMorning- 
ton, Ternate, Aurora, Prince of Wales, Ariel, Nautilus, 
Vestal and Fury, with four large transports, and the Strom- 
boli bomb-ketch. The fleet sailed from Bombay in Sep- 
tember, and after a long passage they reached Muscat, 
where it remained for many days to refresh and arrange 
their future plans ; they sailed and soon reached Ras-el- 


The Pirates striking off the arm of Capt. Babcock. , p. 42 


N 





9 \ 


» 









■ 

^ '» 



J 




THS PIRATES DEFEATED. 


47 


Kliyma, the chief port of the pirates within the gulf. 
Here the squadron anchored abreast of the town, and the 
troops wore landed under cover of. the ships and boats 
The inhabitants of the town assembled in crowds to repel 
the invaders-, but the firm line, the regular volleys, and 
the steady charge of the troops at the point of the bayo- 
net, overcame every obstacle, and multiplied the heaps of 
(he slain. A general conflagration -was then ordered, and 
a general plunder to the troops was permitted.. The town 
was set on fire in all parts, and about sixty sail of boats 
and dows, with the Minerva, a ship which they had taken 
then lying in the roads were all burnt and destroyed. 

The complete conquest of the place was thus effected 
with very trifling loss on the part of the besiegers, and 
some plunder collected ; though it was thought that most 
of the treasure and valuables had been removed into the 
interior. This career of victory was suddenly damped by 
the report of the at)proach of a large body of troops from 
the interior, and although none of these were seen, this 
ideal reinforcement induced the besiegers to withdraw 
The embarkation took place at daylight in the morning ; 
and while the fleet remained at anchor during the whole 
of the day, parties were still seen assembling on the shore, 
displ ying their colors, brandishing their spears, and firing 
muskets from all points ; so that the conquest was scarcely 
as complete as could be wished, since no formal act of 
submission had yet been shown. The expedition now 
sailed to Linga, a small port of the Joassamees, and burnt 
it to the ground. The force had now become separated, 
the greater portion of the troops being sent to Muscat for 
supplies, or being deemed unnecessary, and some of the 
vessels sent on separate services of Blockading passages, 
&.C. The remaining portion of the blockading squadron 
consisting of La Chiffone, frigate, and four of the cruisers, 
the Mornington, Ternate, Nautilus, and Fury, and two 
transports, with five hundred troops from Linga, then pro- 
ceeded to Luft, another port of the Joassamees. As the 
channel here was narrow and difficult of approach, the 
ships were warped into their stations of anchora2;e, and a 
summons sent on shore, as the people had not here aban- 
doned their town, but were found at their posts of defence, 


48 


THE JOASSAMEE PIRATES. 


in a large and strong castle with many batteries, redoubts, 
&c. The summons being treated with disdain, the troops 
were landed with Col. Smith at their head ; and while 
forming on the beach a slight skirmish took place with 
such of the inhabitants of the town, as fled for shelter to 
the castle. The troops then advanced towards the for- 
tress, which is described to have had whlls fourteen feet 
thick, pierced with loop holes, and only one entrance 
through a small gate, well cased with iron bars and bolts, 
in the strongest manner. With a howitzer taken for the 
occasion, it was intended to have blown this gate open, 
and to have taken the place by storm ; but on reaching it 
while the ranks opened, and the men sought to surround 
the castle to seek for some other entrance at the same time, 
they were picked off so rapidly and unexpectedly from the 
loop holes above, that a general flight took place, the 
howitzer was abandoned, even before it had been fired, 
and both the officers and the troops sought shelter by 
lying down behind the ridges of sand and little hillocks 
immediately underneath the castle walls. An Irish officer, 
jumping up from his hiding place, and calling on some of 
his comrades to follow him in an attempt to rescue the 
howitzer, was killed in the enterprise. Such others as 
even raised their heads to look around them, were picked 
off* by the musketry from above ; and the whole of the 
troops lay therefore hidden in this way, until the darkness 
of the night favored theii* escape to the beach, where they 
embarked after sunset, the enemy having made no sally on 
them from the fort. A second summons was sent to the 
chief in the castle, threatening to bombard the town from 
a nearer anchorage if he did not submit, and no quarter 
afterwards shown. With the dawn of morning, all eyes 
were directed to the fortress, when, to the surprise of the 
whole squadron, a man was seen waving the British Union 
flag on the summit of its walls. It was lieutenant Hall, 
who commanded the Fury which was one of the vessels 
nearest the shore. During the night he had gone on shore 
alone, taking an union-jack in his hand, and advanced 
singly to the castle gate. The fortress had already been 
abandoned by the greater number of the inhabitants, bui 
some few still remained there. These fled at the approach 


THE PIRATES ABANDON THE CASTLE 


49 


of an individual supposing him to be the herald of those who 
were to follow. Be this as it may, the castle was entirely 
abandoned, and the British flag waved on its walls by this 
daring officer, to the surprise and admiration of all the 
fleet. The town and fortifications were then taken pos- 
session of. After sweeping round the bottom of the gulf, 
the expedition returned to Muscat. 



On the sailing of the fleet from hence, the forces were 
augmented by a body of troops belonging to the Imaun 
of Muscat, destined to assist in the recovery of a place call 
ed Shenaz, on the coast, taken by the .Toassamees. On 
their arrival at this place, a summons was sent, comrnand- 
ino- the fort to surrender, which being refused, a bombard- 

to ^ 


50 


THE JOA6SAMEE PIRATES. 


ment was opened from the ships and boats, but without 
producing much effect. On the following morning, the 
whole of the troops were landed, and a regular encamp- 
ment formed on the shore, with sand batteries, and other 
necessary works for a siege. After several days bombard- 
ment, in which about four thousand shot and shells were 
discharged against the fortress, to which the people had 
fled for refuge after burning down the town, a breach was 
reported to be practicable, and the castle was accordingly 
stormed. The resistance still made was desperate ; the 
Arabs fighting as long as they could wield the sword, and 
even thrusting their spears up through the fragments of 
towers, in whose ruins they remained irrecoverably buried. 
The loss in killed and wounded was upwards of a thous- 
and men. Notwithstanding that the object of this expedi- 
tion might be said to be incomplete, inasmuch as nothing 
less than a total extirpation of their race could secure the 
tranquillity of these seas, yet the effect produced by this 
expedition was such, as to make them reverence or dread 
the British flag for several years afterw^ards. 

At length in 1815, their boats began to infest the en- 
trance to the Red Sea ; and in 1816. their numliers had so 
•’ncreased on that coast, that a squadron of them com- 
manded by a chief called Ameer Ibrahim, captured within 
sight of Mocha, four vessels bound from Surat to that port, 
richly laden and navigating under the British flag, and the 
crews massacred. 

A squadron consisting of His Majesty’s ship Challenger, 
Captain Brvdges, and the East India Company’s cruisers, 
Mercury, Ariel, and Vestal, were despatched to the chief 
})ort of the Joassamees, Ras-el-Khyma. Mr. Buckingham 
the Great Oriental traveller, accompanied the expedition 
from Bushire. Upon their arrival at Ras-el-Khyma, a 
demand was made for the restoration of the four Surat 
vessels and their cargoes ; or. in lieu thereof twelve lacks 
of lupees. Also that the commander of the piratical 
squadron. Ameer Ibrahim, should be delivered up for pun 
ishment. The demand w^as made by letter, and answer 
being received, Captain Brydges determined to go on 
shore and have an interview^ with the Pirate Chieftain 
Mr. Buckingham fsays,) He requested me to accompany 


AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PIRATE CHIEFTAIN. 


him on shore as an interpreter. I readily assented. We 
quitted the ship together about 9 o'clock, and pulled 
straigiit to the shore, sounding all the way as we went, 
and gradually shoaling our water from six to two fath- 
oms, within a quarter of a mile of the beach, where four 
large dows lay at anchor, ranged in a line, with their heads 
seaward, each of them mounting several pieces of cannon, 
and being full of men. On landing on the beach, we 
found its whole length guarded by a line of armed men, 
some bearing muskets, but the greater part armed with 
swords, shields, and spears ; most of them were negroes, 
whom the Joassamees spare in their wars, looking on 
tiiem rather as property and merchandize, than in the 
light of enemies. We were permitted to pass this line, 
and upon our communicating our wish to see the chief, 
we were conducted to the gate of the principal building, 
nearly in the centre of the town, and were met by the 
Pirate Chieftain attended by fifty armed men. I offered 
him the Mahommedan salutation of peace, which he re- 
turned without hesitation. 

The chief, Hassan ben Rahma, whom we had seen, 
was -a small man, apparently about forty years of age, with 
an expression of cunning in his looks, and something 
particularly sarcastic in his smile. He was dressed in the 
usual Arab garments, with a cashmeer shawl, turban, and 
a scarlet benish, of the Persian form, to distinguish him 
from his followers. These were habited in the plainest 
garments. One of his eyes had been wounded, but his 
otlier features were good, his teeth beautifully white and 
regular, and his complexion very dark. 

The town of Ras el-Khyma stands on a narrow tongue 
of sandy land, pointing to the northeastward, presenting 
its northwest edge to the open sea, and its south east one 
to a creek, which runs up wdthin it to the southwestward, 
and affords a safe harbor for boats. There appeared to be 
no continued wall of defence around it, though round 
lowers and portions of walls were seen in several parts, 
probably once connected in line, but not yet repaired 
since their destruction. The strongest points of defence 
appear to be in a fortress at the northeast angle, and a 
double round tower, near the centre of the town ; in each 


52 


THE JOASSAMEE PIRATES. 


of which, guns are mounted ; but all the other toweis 
appear to adbrd only shelter for musketeers. The rest of 
the town is composed of ordinary- buildings of unhewn 
stone, and huts of rushes and long grass, with narrow 
avenues winding between ihem. The present number of 
inhabitants may be computed at ten thousand at least. 
They are thought to have at present, (1816,) sixty largo 
boats out from their own port, manned with crews of from 
eighty, to three hundred men each, and forty other boats 
that belong to other ports. Their force concentrated, 
would probably amount to at least one hundred boats and 
eight thousand fighting men. After several fruitless nego- 
ciations, the signal was now made to w’eigh, and stand closer 
in towards the town. It was then followed by the signal 
to engage the enemy. The squadron bore down nearly 
in line, under easy sail, and with the wdnd right aft, or 
on shore ; the Mercury being on the starboard bow, the 
Challenger ne.\t in order, in the centre, the Vestal follow- 
ing in the same line, and the Ariel completing the division. 

A large fleet of small boats was seen standing in from 
Cape Mussundum, at the s^ime time ; but these escaped 
by keeping closer along shore, and at length passing over 
the bar and getting into the back water behind the town. 
The squadron continued to stand on in a direct line 
towards the four anchored dow^s, gradually shoaling from 
the depth of our anchorage to two and a half fathoms, 
where stream anchors were dropped under foot, with spr'ngs 
on the cables, so that each vessel lay with her broadside 
to the shore. A fire was now opened by the whole, 
squadron, directed to the four dows. These boats were 
full of men, brandishing their w^eapons in the air, their 
whole number exceeding, probably, six hundred. Some 
of the shot from the few long guns of the squadron reached 
the shore, and were buried in the sand ; others fell across 
the bows and near the nulls of the dows to which they 
were directed ; but the cannonades all fell short, as we 
were then fully a mile from the beach. 

The Arab colors were displayed on all the forts ; crow ds 
of armed men w^ere assembled on the beach, bearing large 
banners on poles, and dancing around them with their 
arms, as if rallying around a sacred standard, so that no 


THE TOWN OF RAS-EL-KHYMA TAKEN. 53 

.Sign of submission or conquest was witnessed tfiroughout 
The Ariel continued to discharge about fifty shot after all 
the others had desisted, but with as little avail as before, 
and thus ended this wordy negociation, and the bloodless 
battle to which it eventually led. 

In 1818, these pirates grew so daring that they made 
an irruption into the Indian Ocean, and plundered vessels 
and towns on the islands and coasts. A fleet was sent 
against them, and intercepted them off Ashlola Island, 
proceeding to the westward in three divisions ; and drove 
them back into the gulf. The Eden and Psyche fell in 
with two trankies, and these were so closely pursued that 
they were obliged to drop a small captured boat they had in 
tow. The Thetes one day kept in close chase of seven- 
teen vessels, but they were enabled to get away owing to 
their superior sailing. The cruisers met with the Joassa- 
mees seventeen times arid were constantly employed in 
hunting them from place to place. 

At length, in 1819, they became such a scourge to com- 
merce that a formidable expedition under the command of 
Major General Sir W. Grant Keir, sailed against them. 
It arrived before the chief town in December, and com- 
menced operations. In his despatches Gen. Keir says — 

I have the satisfaction to report the town ,of Ras-el- 
Khyma, after a resistance of six days, was taken possession 
of this morning by the force under my command. 

On the 18th, after completing my arrangements at Mus- 
cat, the Liverpool sailed for the rendezvous at Kishme ; 
on the 21st, we fell in with the fleet of the Persian Gulf 
and anchored off the island of Larrack on the 24th No- 
vember. 

As it appeared probable that a considerable period would 
elapse before the junction of the ships which were detained 
at Bombay, I conceived it would prove highly advantage- 
ous to avail myself of all the information that could be pro- 
cured respecting the strength and resources of the pirates 
we had. to deal with. 

No time was lost in making the necessary preparations 
for landing, which was eflected the following morning 
without opposition, at a spot which had been previously 
selected for that purp6se, about two miles to the southward 

5* 


54 


THE JOASSAMEE PIRATES. 


of the town. The troops were formed across the isthmus 
connecting the peninsula on which the town is situated 
with the neighboring country, and the whole of the day 
was occupied in getting the tents on shore, to shelter the 
men from the rain, landing engineers, tools, sand bags, &c. 
and making arrangements preparatory to commencing our 
approaches the next day. On the morning of the 4th, 
our light troops were ordered in advance, supported by 
the pickets, to dislodge the enemy from a bank within 
nine hundred yards of the outer fort, which was expected 
to alford good cover for the men. The whole of the light 
companies of the force undjr Capt. Backhouse, moved for- 
ward, and drove the Arabs with great gallantry from a date 
grove, and over the bank close under the walls of the fort, 
followed by the pickets under Major Molesworth, who 
took post at the sand banks, whilst the European light 
troops were skirmishing in front. The enemy kept up a 
sharp fire of musketry and cannon ; during these move- 
ments, Major Molesworth, a gallant officer was here killed. 
The troops kept their position during the day, and in the 
night effected a lodgement within three hundred yards of 
the southernmost tower, and erected a battery of four guns, 
together with a mortar battery. 

The weather having become rather unfavorable for the 
disembarkation of the stores required for the siege, but 
this important object being effected on the morning of the 
6th, we were enabled to open three eighteen pounders on 
the fort, a couple of howitzers, and six pounders were 
also placed in the battery on the right, which played on 
the defences of the towers and nearly silenced the enemy’s 
fire, who, during the whole of our progress exhibited a con- 
siderable degree of resolution in withstanding, and inge- 
nuity in counteracting our attacks, sallied out at 8 o’clock 
this evening along the whole front of our entrenchments, 
crept close up to the nggrrtar battery without being per- 
ceived, and entered it over the parapetj after spearing the 
advanced sentries. The party which occupied it were 
obliged to retire, but being immediately reinforced charged 
the assailants, who were driven out of the battery with 
great loss. The enemy repeated his attacks towards morn- 
'ng*but was vigorously repulsed. During the seventh 


THE i VCCESS OF THE ENGLISH TROOPS. 


55 


every exertion was made to land and bring up the re- 
maining guns and mortars, which was accomplished during 
the night. They were immediately placed in the battery, 
together with two tw^enty-four pounders which were landed 
from the Liverpool, and in the morning the whole of tlie 
ordnance opened on the fort and fired with scarcely-any 
intermission till sunset, when the breach on the curtain 
was reported nearly practicable and the towers almost 
untenable. Immediate arrangements were made for the 
assault, and the troops ordered to move down to the en- 
trenchments by daylight the next morning. The party 
moved forward about 8 o’clock, and entered the fort 
through the breaches without firing a shot^ and it soon 
appeared the enemy had evacuated the place. The town 
was taken possession of and found almost entirely deserted, 
only eighteen or twenty men, and a few women remaining 
in their houses. 

The expedition next proceeded against Rumps, a pirati- 
cal town, eight miles north of Ras-el-Khyma, but the in- 
habitants abandoned the town and took refuge in the hill 
fort of Zyah, which is situated at the head of a navigable 
creek nearly two miles from the sea cost. This place was 
the resilience of Hussein Bin Alley, a sheikh of considerable 
importance among the Joassamee tribes, and a person who 
from his talents, and lawless habits, as w^ell as from the 
strength and advantageous situation of the fort, was likely 
to attempt the revival of the piratical system upon the first 
occasion. It became a desirable object to reduce the 
power of this chieftain. 

On the 18th December, the troops embarked at Ras-el- 
Khyma, at day break in the boats of the fleet under com- 
mand of Major Warren, with the 65th regiment and the 
flank companies of the first and second regiment, and at 
noon arrived within four miles of their destination. This 
operation was attended with considerable difficulty and 
risk, owing to the heavy surf that beat on the shore ; and 
wliich was the occasion of some loss of ammunition, and of 
a few boats being upset and stove in. 

At half past three, P. M., having refreshed the men, 
^gays Major Warren.) we commenced ouranarch and ford- 
ing the creek or back water, took up our position at sun 


THK JOASSAMEE PIRATES. 


56 

set, to the northeastward of the fort, the enemy firing at 
us as we passed, notwithstanding that our messenger, whom 
we had previously sent in to summon the Sheikh, was still 
ill the place ; and I lost no time in pushing our riflemen 
and pickets as far forward as I could without exposing them 
too much to the firing of the enemy, whom 1 found strongly 
posted under secure cover in the date tree groves in front 
of the town. Captain Cocke, with the light company of 
his battalion, was at the same time sent to the westward, 
to cut ofl* the retreat of the enemy on that side. 



At day break the next morning, finding it necessary to 
drive the-enemy still further in, to get a nearer view of his 
defences, I moved forward the rifle company of the 65th 
regiment, and after a considerable opposition from the 
enemy, I succeeded in forcing him to retire some distance ; 
nut not without disputing every inch of ground, which was 
well calculated for resistance, being intersected at every 


THE PIRATES SURRENDER TO THE ENGLISH. 57 


• few yards, by banks and water courses raised for the pur- 
pose of irrigation, and covered with date trees. The next 
morning the riflemen, supported by the pickets, were again 
called into play, and soon established their position within 
three and four hundred yards of the town, which with the 
base of the hill, was so completely surrounded, as to ren- 
der the escape of any of the garrison now almost impossi- 
ble This advantage was gained by a severe loss. Two 
twenty-four pounders and the two twelves, the landing of 
which had been retarded by the difficulty of communica- 
tion with the fleet from which we derived all our supplies, 
having been now brought on shore, we broke ground in 
the evening, and notwithstanding the rocky soil, had them 
to play next morning at daylight. 

Aware, however, that the families of the enemy were 
still in the town, and humanity dictating that sorne eflVirt 
should be made to save the innocent from the fate that 
awaited the guilty ; an opportunity was afforded for that 
purpose, by an offer to the garrison of security to their 
women and ciiildren, should they be sent out within the 
hour; but the infatuated chief, either from an idea that 
his fort on the hill was not to be reached by our shot, or 
with the vain hope to gain time by procrastination, return- 
ing no answer to our communication, while he detained our 
messenger ; we opened our fire at half past eight in the 
morning, and such was the precision of the practice, that 
in two hours we perceived tlie breach would soon be practi- 
cable. I was in the act of ordering the assault, when a 
wiiite flag was displayed ; and the enemy, after some little 
delay, in assembling from the different quarters of the 
place, marched out without their arms, with Hussein Bin 
Alley at their head, to the nuuiber of three hundred and 
ninety-eight; and at half past one, P. .AI., the British 
flags were hoisted on the hill fort and at the Sheikh’s house. 
The women and children to the number of four hundred, 
were at the same time collected together in a place of 
security, and sent on board the fleet, toge.lher wdth the men. 
Tlfe service has been short but arduous ; the enemy de- 
fended themselves with great obstinacy and ability worthy 
of a better cause. 

Froiii two prisoners retaken from the Joassamees, they 

B 


58 


THE JOASSAMEE PIRATES. 


learnt that the plunder is made a general stock, and dis- 
tributed by the chief, but in what proportions the depo- 
nents cannot say ; water is generally very scarce. There 
is a quantity of fish caught on the bank, upon which and 
dates they live. There were a few horses, camels, cows, 
sheep, and goats ; the greatest part of which they took w ith 
them ; they were in general lean, as the sandy phiin produ- 
ces' little or no vegetation, except a few dates and cocoa- 
nut trees. The pirates who abandoned Ras-el-Khyma, 
encamped about three miles in the interior, ready to retreat 
into the desert at a moment’s warning. The Sheikh of 
Rumps is an old man, but looks intelligent, and is said to 
be the man who advises upon all occasions the movements 
of the different tribes of pirates on the coast, and w hen he 
was told that it was the wish of the Company to put a 
stop to their piracy, and make an honest people of them by 
encouraging them to trade, seemed to regret much that 
those intentions were aut made known, as they would 
have been most readily embraced. Rumps is the key to 
Ras-el-Khyma, and by its strength is defended from a 
strong banditti infesting the mountains, as also the Bedouin 
Arabs who are their enemies. A British garrison of twelve 
hundred men was stationed at Ras-el-K!iyma, and a guard- 
ship. Tiie other places sent in tokens of submission, as 
driven out of their fortresses on the margin of the sea, 
Uiey had to contend within with the interior hostile tribes. 



THi: BARBAROUS CONDUCT AND ROMANTIC DEATH OF THf 


JOASSAMEE CHIEF, 

KAHMAH-BEN-JABIR. 



Rahmah-ben-Jabir, a Joassamee Chief, 


The town of Bushire, on the Persian Gulf is seated in a 
low peninsula of sand, extending out of the general line 
of the coast, so as to form a bay on both sides. One oi 


60 


AN ACCOUNT OF RAHMAH-BEN-JABIR. 


these bays was in 1816, occupied by the fleet of a cer- 
tain Arab, named Rahmalnben-Jabir, who has been for 
more than twenty years the terror ol lli« gulf, and who was 
the most successful and the most generally tolerated pirate, 
perhaps, that ever infested any sea. This man by birth 
was a native of Grain, on the opposite coast, and nephew of 
the governor of that place. His fellow citizens had aij 
the honesty, however, to declare him an outlaw, from 
abhorrence of hts profession ; but he found Uiat aid and 
protection at Bushire, which his own townsiiien denied 
him. With five or six vessels, most of which were very 
large, and manned with crews of from tw'o to three hun- 
dred each, he sallied forth, and captured whatever he 
thought himself strong enough to carry oil' as a prize. His 
followers to the number of two thousand, were maintained 
by the plunder of his prizes ; and as tjje most of these were 
his own bought African slaves, and the remainder equally 
subject to his authority, he was sometimes as prodigal of 
their lives in a fit of anger as he was oi» his enemies, whom 
he was not content to slay in battle only, but basely mur- 
dered in cold blood, after they had submitted. An in- 
stance is related of his having put a great number of his 
own crew, who used mutinous expressions, into a tank on 
board, in which they usually kept their water, and this 
being shut close at the top, the poor wretches were all 
sufibcated, and afterwards thrown overboard. This butcher 
chief, like the celebrated Djezzar of Acre, affected great 
simplicity of dress, manners, and living ; and whenever he 
went out, could not be distinguished by a stranger from 
the crowd of his attendants. He carried this simplicity to 
a degree of filthiness, which w’as disgusting, as his usual 
dress was a shirt, which was never taken oft' to be washed, 
from tjie time it was first put on till worn out; no drawers 
or coverings for the legs of any kind, and a large black goat’s 
hair cloak, wrapped over all with a greasy and jJirty hand- 
kerchief, called the keti'eea, thrown loosely over his head, 
fntamous as was this man’s life and character, he was not 
only cherished and courted by the people of Bushire, w'no 
dreaded him, but was courteously received and respectfully 
entertained wdienever he visited the British Factory. On 
one occasion, (says Mr. Buckingham,) at which I was 


FEROCITY OF R VHMAH-BEN-JABIR. 


61 


present, he was sent for to give some medical gentlemen 
of the navy and company’s cruisers an opporiunity ol 
inspecting his arm, which had been severely wounded. 
The wound was at first made by grape-shot and splinters, 
and the arm was one mass of blood about the part for sev- 
eral days, while the man himself was with difficulty known 
to be alive. He gradually recovered, however, without 
surgical aid, and the bone of the arm between the shoulder 
and elbow being completely shivered to pieces, the frag- 
ments progressively worked out, and the singular appear- 
ance was left of the fore arm and elbow connected to the 
shoulder by flesh and skin, and tendons, without the least 
vestige of bone. This man when invited to the factory 
for the purpose of making an exhibition of his arm, was 
himself admitted to sit at the table and take some tea, as 
it was breakfast time, and some of his followers took chairs 
around him. They were all as disgustingly filthy in appear- 
ance as could well be imagined ; and some of them did 
not scruple to hurTt. for vermin on their skins, of which 
there was an abundance, and throw them on the floor. 
Rahmah-ben-Jabir’s figure presented a meagre trunk, 
with four lank members', all of them cut and hacked, and 
pierced with wounds, oi sabres, spears and bullets, in every 
part, to the number, perhaps of more than twenty difl'erent 
wounds. He had, besides, a face naturally ferocious and 
ugly, and now rendered still more so by seviral scars 
there, and by the loss of one eye. When asked by one of 
the English gentlemen present, with a tone of encourage- 
ment and familiarity, whether he could not still dispatch 
an enemy vYith his boneless arm, he drew a crooked dagger, 
or yambeah, from the girdle round his' shirt, and placing 
his left hand, which was sound, to support the elbow of 
the right, which was the one that was wounded, he grasped 
the dagger firmly with his clenched fist, and drew it back 
ward and forward, twirling it at the same time, and say- 
ing that he 'desired nothing better than to have the cutting 
of as many throats as he could eflectually open with his 
lame hand. Instead of being shocked at the uttering of 
such a brutal wish, and such a savage triumph at still pos- 
sessing the power to murder unoffending victims, I knew 
not how to describe my feelings of shame and sorrow 

6 


AN ACCOUNT OF RAHMAH-BFN- JABIR. 

when a loud roar of laughter burst from the whole assem- 
bly, when I ventured to express my dissent from the gen- 
eral feeing of admiration for such a man. 

This barbarous pirate in the year 1827, at last exi)e- 
rienced a fate characteristic of the whole course of h.fi Hfe, 
, Ilis violent aggressions having united the Arabs of Bah- 
rene and Ratilfe against him, they blockaded his port of 
Daman, from which Rahn)ah-ben-Jabir, having left a gar- 
rison in the fort under his son, had sailed in a well 
appointed bugalow, for the purpose, of endeavoring to raise 
a corifederacy o^ his friends in his support. Having failed 
in this object he returned to Daman, and in spite of the 
boats blockading the port, succeeded in visiting his garri- 
son, and immediately re-embarked, taking vi^ith him his 
youngest son. On arriving on board his bugalow, he was 
received by f s followers with a salute, which decisive 
indicatiori of his presence immediately attracted the atten- 
tion of his opponents, one of whose boats commanded by 
the nephew of the Sheikh of Bahrene, proceeded to 
attack him. A desperate struggle ensued, and the Sheikh 
finding after some time that he had lost nearly the whole 
of his crew by the fire of Rahmah’s boat, retired for rein- 
forcements. These being obtained, he immediatelv re- 
turned singly to the contest. The fight was renewed with 
redoubled fury ; when at last, Ramah, being informed, (for 
he had been long blind,) that his men were falling fast 
around him, mustered the remainder of the crew” and 
issued orders to close and grapple with his opponent. 
When this was efifected, and after embracing his son, he 
was led with a lighted torch to the magazine, which in- 
stantly exploded, tilowing his own boat to atoms and set- 
ting fire to the Shaikh’s, which immediately afterw'ards 
shared the same fate. Sheikh Ahmed and a few of his 
followers escaped to the other boats; but only one of 
Rahrnah’s brave crew was saved ; and it is supposed that 
upwards of three hundred men were killed in this heroic 
contest. 


THE LIFE OF 



L A F I T T E , 

THE FAMOUS PIRATE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO. 


Lafitte hoarding the Queen East Indiaman, 

With a History of the Pirates of Barrataria — and an 
account of their volunteering for the defence of New Or- 
leans ; and their daring intrepidity under General Jack- 
son, during the battle of the 8th of January, 1815. For 
which important service they were pardoned by President 
Miulison. 


64 


THE LIFE OF LAFITTE. 


Jean Lafitte, was born at St. Maloes in France, in 
781, and went to sea at the age of thirteen ; after severa 
voyages in Europe, and to the coast of Africa, he was 
appointed mate of a French East Indiaman, bound to Ma 
dras. On tlie outward passage they encountered a heav) 
gale off the Cape of Good Hope, which syirung the main* 
mast and otherwise injured the ship, which determined 
the captain to bear up for the Mauritius, where he arrived 
‘n safety ; a quarrel having taken place on the passage out 
Detween Lafitte and the Captain, he abandoned the ship 
and refused to continue the voyage. Several prwateers 
were at this time fitting out at this island, and Lafitte 
was appointed captain of one of these vessels ; after a 
cruise during which he robbed the vessels of other nations 
besides those of England, and thus committing piracy, he. 
stopped at the Seychelles, and took in a load of slaves foi 
the Mauritius ; but being chased by an English Frigate as. 
far north as the equator, he found himself in a very awk- 
ward condition ; not having provisions enough on board 
his ship to carry him back to the French Colony. He 
therefore conceived the bold project of proceeding to the 
Bay of Bengal, in order to get provisions from on board 
some English ships. In his ship of two hundred tons, with 
only two guns and twenty-six men, he attacked and took 
an English armed schooner with a numerous crew. After 
putting nineteen of his own crew on board the schooner, 
he took the command of her and proceeded to cruise upon 
the coast of Bengal. He there fell in with the Pagoda, a 
vessel belonging to the English East India Company, armed 
with twenty-six twelve pounders and manned with one 
hundred and fifty men. Expecting that the enemy would 
take him for a pilot of the Ganges, he manceuvered accord- 
ingly. The Pagoda manifested no suspicions, w^hereupon 
he suddenly darted with his brave followers upon her decks, 
overturned all who opposed them, and speedily took the 
ship. After a very successful cruise he arrived safe at the 
Mauritius, and took the command of La Confiance of 
twenty-six guns and two hundred and fifty men, and sailed 
for the coast of British India. Off the Sand Heads in 
October, 1807, Lafitte fell in wdth the Queen East India- 
man, with a crew of near four hundred men, and carrying 


LAFITTE CAPTURES THE QUEEN EAST INDIAMAN. (55 


forty guns ; he conceived the bold project of getting pos- 
session of her. Never was there beheld a more unequal 
conflict ; even the height of the vessel compared to the 
feeble privateer, augmented the chances against Lafitte ; 
but the difficulty and danger far from discouraging tliis 
intrepid sailor, acted as an additional spur to his brilliant 
valor. After electrifying his crew with a few w'ords ot 
hope and ardor, he manoeuvered and ran on board of iho 
enemy. In this position he received a broadside when 
close too ; but he expected this, and made his men lay thU 
upon the deck. After the first fire they all rose, and from 
the yards and tops, threw bombs and grenades into the 
forecastle of the Indiaman. This sudden and unforeseen 
attack caused a great havoc. In an instant, death and 
terror made them abandon a part of the vessel near the 
inizen-mast. Lafitte, who observed every thing, seized the 
decisive moment, beat to arms, and forty of his crew pre- 
pared to board, with pistols in their hands and daggers 
held between their teeth. As soon as they got on deck, 
they rushed upon the affrighted crowd, who retreated to 
the steerage, and endeavored to defend themselves there. 
Lafitte thereupon ordered a second division to board, 
which he headed himself ; the captain of the Indiaman 
was killed, and all were swept away in a moment. Lafitte 
caused a gun to be loaded with grape, which he pointed 
towards the place where the crowd were assembled, 
threatening to exterminate them. The English deeming 
resistance fruitless, surrendered, and Lafitte hastened to 
put a stop to the slaughter. This exploit, hitherto unpar- 
allelled, resounded through India, and the name of Lafitte 
became the terror of English commerce in these latitudes, 
As British vessels now traversed the Indian Ocean under 
strong convoys, game became scarce, and Lafitte deter- 
mined to visit France; and after doubling the Cape of 
Good Hope, he coasted up to the Gulf of Guinea, and .n 
the Bight of Benin, took two valuable prizes loaded wiin 
gold dust, ivory, and Palm Oil ; wdth this booty he reache I 
St. Maloes in safety. After a short stay at his native place 
he fitted out a Brigantine, mounting tvyenty guns and 
one hundred and fifty men, and sailed for Gaudaloupc ; 
amongst the West India Islands, he made several valuu- 


THE LIFE OF LAFITTE. 


bG 

Me prizes; but during his absence on a cruise the island 
(laving been taken by the British, he proceeded to Cartha- 
gena, and from (hence to Barrataria. After this period^ 
the conduct of Lafitte at Barrataria does not appear to be 
chanicterised by the audacity and boldness of his former 
career ; but lie had amassed immense sums of booty, and 
as he was obliged to have dealings with the merchants of 
the United States, and the West Indies, who frequently 
owed him large sums, and the cautious dealings necessary 
to found and conduct a colony of Pirates and Smugglers 
in the very teeth of a civilized nation, obliged Lafitte to 
cloak as much as possible his real character. 

As we have said before, at the period of the taking of 
Gaudaloupe by the British, most of the privateers com- 
missioned by th^ government of that island, and which 
were then on a cruise, not being able to return to any of 
tlie W est India Islands, made for Barrataria, there to take 
in a supply of water and provisions, recruit the health of 
their crews, and dispose of their prizes, which could not 
be admitted into any of the ports of the United States, 
we being at that time in peace with Great Britain. Most 
of the commissions granted to privateers by the French 
government at Gaudaloupe, having expired sometime after 
the declaration of the independence of Carthagena, many 
of the privatee s repaired to that port, for the purpose of 
obtaining from the new government commissions for 
cruising against Spanish vessels. Having duly obtained 
their commissions, they in a manner blockaded for a long 
time all the ports belonging to the royalists, and made 
numerous captives, which they carried into Barrataria. 
Under this denomination is comprised part of the coast 
of Louisiana to the west of the mouths of the Mississippi, 
comprehended between Bastien bay on the east, and the 
mouths of the river or bayou la Fourche on the west. Not 
far from the sea are lakes called the great and little lakes 
of Barrataria, communicating with one another by several 
large bayous with a great number of branches. There is 
also the island of Barrataria, at the extremity of which is a 
place called the Temple, which denomination it owes to 
several mounds of shells thrown up there by the Indians. 
The name of Barrataria is also given to a large basin 


COMMODORE PATTERSON’s LETTER. 


67 


which extends the whole length of the cypress swamps, 
from the Gulf of Mexico to three miles above New Or- 
leans. These waters disembogue into the gulf by iw’o 
entrances of tire bayou Barrataria, between which lies an 
island called Grand Terre, six miles in length, and from 
two to three miles in breadth, running parallell with the 
coast. In the western entrance is the great pass of Barra* 
taria, which has from nine to ten feet of water. Within 
this pass about two lengues from the open sea, lies the 
only secure harbor on the coast, and accordingly this was 
the harbor frequented by the Pirates, so well known by 
the name of Barratarians. 

At Grand Jerre, the privateers publicly made sale by 
auction, of the cargoes of their prizes. From all parts of 
Lower Louisiana, people resorted to Barrataria, without 
being at all solicitous to conceal the object of their journey. 
The most respectable inhabitants of the state, especially 
those living in the country, were in the habit of purchas- 
ing smuggled goods corning from Barrataria. 

The government of the Uwited States sent an expeditiqn 
under Commodore Patterson, to disperse the settlement of 
marauders at Barrataria ; the following is an extract of 
his letter to the secretary of war. 

Sir — I have the honor to inform you that I departed 
from this city on the 11th June, accompanied by Col. 
Ross, with a detachment of seventy of the 44th regiment 
of infantry. On the 12th, reached the schooner Carolina, 
of Plaquemine, and formed a junction with the gun vessels 
at the Balize on the 13th, ^sailed from the southwest' pass 
on the evening of the 15th, and at half pasC 8 o’clock, 
A. M. on the 16th, made the Island of Barrataria, and 
discovered a number of vessels in the harbor, some of 
which shewed Carthagenian colors. At 2 o’clock, per- 
ceived the pirates forming their vessels, ten in number, 
including prizes, into a line of battle near the entrance of 
tlie harbor, and making every preparation to oflei me bat- 
tle. At 10 o’clock, wind light and variable, formed the 
order of battle with six gun boats and the Sea Horse tender, 
mounting one six pounder and fifu en men, and a launch 
mounting one twelve pound carr made ; the schooner 
Carolina, drawing too much water !o cross the bar. PsA 


68 


THE LIFE OF LAFITTE. 


half past 10 oVlock, perceived several smokes along the 
coasts as signals, and at the same time a white flag hoisted 
on board a schooner at the fort, an American flag at the 
mainmast head and a Carthagenian flag, (under wdiich the 
pirates cruise,) at her topping lift ; replied with a wdiite 
flag at my main ; at 1 1 o’clock, discovered that the pirates 
had fired two of their best schooners ; hauled down my 
' w hite flag and made the signal for battle ; hoisting with 
a large white flag bearing the words “ Pardon for Desert- 
ers ; ” having heard there was a number on shore from the 
army and navy. At a quarter past 1 1 o’clock, two gun 
bouts grounded and w'ere passed agreeably to my previous 
orders, by the other four which entered the harbor, manned 
by my barge and the boats belonging to the grounded ves- 
sels, and proceeded in to my great disappointment. I 
perceived that the pirates abandoned their vessels, and 
were flying in all directions. I immediately sent the launch 
and two barges with small boats in pursuit of them. At 
meridian, took possession of all their vessels in the harboi 
consisting of six schooners and one felucca, cruisers, and 
prizes of the pirates, one brig a prize, and two armed 
schooners under the Carthagenian flag, both in the line of 
battle, with the armed v-essels of the pirates, and apparently 
with an intention to aid them in any resistance they might 
make against me, as their crews were at quarters, tompions 
out of their guns, and matches lighted. Col. Ross at the 
same time landed, and with his command to<^>k possession 
of their establishment on shore, consisting of about forty 
houses of /lifferent sizes, badly constructed, and thatched 
with palmetto leaves. 

When I perceived the enemy forming their vessels into 
a line of battle I felt confident from their number and very 
adva’ntageous position, and their number of men, that they 
would have fought me ; their not doing so I regret ; for 
had they, I should have been enabled more effectually to 
destroy or make prisoners of them and their leaders ; but 
it is a subject of great satisfaction to me, to have effected 
the object of my enterprise, without the loss of a man. 

The enemy had mounted on their vessels twenty pieces 
of cannon of different calibre: and as Idiave since learnt, 
from eight hundred, to one thousand men of all nations 
and colors. 


T^afitte and his crew clearing the decks of the Indiaman. d. 65 








AN ATTEMPT UPON THE PRWES OF THE PIRATES. 71 


Early in the jnorning of the 20th, the Carolina at an- 
chor, about five miles distant, made the signal of a 
“strange sail in sight to eastward ; ” immediately after she 
weighed anchor, and gave chase the strange sail, standing 
for Grand Terre, with all sail, at half past 8 o’clock the 
chase hauled her wind ofi' shore to escape ; sent acti' j 
Lieut. Spedding with four boats manned and armed ;o 
prevent her passing the harbor; at 9 o’clock, A. M. th 
chase fired upon the Carolina, which was returned ; each 
vessel continued firing during the chase, when their long 
guns could reach. At 10 o’clock, the chase grounded 
outside of the bar, at whicfi time the Carolina was from 
the shoalness of the water, obliged to haul her wind eft' 
shore and give up th^ chase; opened a fire upon the chase 
across the island from the gun vessels. At half past 10 
o’clock, she hauled down her colors and was taken pos- 
session of. She proved to be the armed schooner, Gen. 
Bofiver ; by grounding she broke both her rudder pintles) 
and made water ; took from her her armament, consisting 
of one long brass eighteen pounder, one long brass six 
poundei, two twelve pounders, small arms, &c. and twenty- 
one packages of dry goods. On the afternoon of the 23d, 
got underway with the whole squadron, in all *seventeen 
vessels, but during the night one escaped, and the next 
day arrived at New Orleans with my whole squadron. 

At different times the English had sought to attack the 
pirates at Barrataria, iiT hopes of taking their prizes, and 
even their armed vessels. Of these attempts of the British, 
suffice it to instance that of June 23d 1813, when two pri- 
vateers being at anchor off* Cat Island, a British sloop ot 
war anchored at the entrance of the pass, and sent her 
boats to endeavour to take the privateers ; but they were 
repulsed with considerable loss. 

Such was the' state of affairs, when on the 2d Sept 
1814, there appeared an armed brig on the coast opposite 
the pass. -She fired a gun at a vessel about to enter and 
forced her to run aground ; she then tacked and shortly 
after came to an anchor at the entrance of the pass. It 
was not easy to understand the intentions of this vessel, 
who having commenced with hostilities on her first appear- 
ance now seemed to announce an amicable disposition 


72 


THE LfF^OF LAFITTE. 


Mr. Lafilte then went off in a boat to examine her, ven- 
turing so far that he could not escape from the pinnace 
sent from the brig, and making towards the shore, bearing 
British colors and a flag of truce. In this pinnace were 
two naval officers. One was Caj)t. Lockyer, commander 
of the brig. The first question they asked was, where was 
Mr. Lafitte? he not choosing to make himself known to 
them, rt plied that the person they inquired for was on 
shore. They then delivered to him a packet directed to 
Mr. Lafitte, Barrataria, requesting him to take particular 
care of it, and to deliver it into Mr. Lafitte’s hands. He 
prevailed on them to make for the shore, and as soon as 
they got near enough to be in his power, he made himsell 
known, recommending to tliem at the same time to con- 
ceal the business. on which they had come. Upwards of 
two hundred persons lined the shore, and it was a general 
cry amongst the crews of the privateers at Grand Terre, 
that those British officers should be made prisoners' and 
sent to New Orleans as spies. It was with much diffi- 
culty that Lafitte dissuaded the muliitude from this intent, 
and led the officers in safety to his dwelling. He thought 
very prudently tfiat the papers contained in the packet 
might be cif importance towards the safety of the country 
and that the officers if well watched could obtain no intel- 
ligence that might turn to the detriment of Louisiana. He 
now examined the contents of the packet, in which he 
found a proclamation addressed by* Col. Edward Nichalls, 
in the service of his Brittanic Maje.sty, and commander of 
the land forces on the coast of Florida, to the inhabitants 
of Louisiana. A letter from the same to Mr. Lafitte, the 
commandant of Barrataria ; an official letter from the hon- 
orable W. H. Percy, captain of the sloop of war Hermes, 
directed to Lafitte. Wlieri he had perused these letters, 
Capt. Lockyer enlarged on the subject of them, and pro- 
posed to him to enter into the servipe of his Britannic 
Majesty with the rank of post captain and to i^eceive the 
command of a 44 gun frigate. Also all those under his 
command, or over whom he had sufficient influence. He 
W’as also offered thirty thousand dollars, payable* at Pensa- 
jola, and urged him not to let 'slip this opportunity ol 
^^cquiring fortune and consideration. On Lafitte’s reqiiir 


LAFITTE 3 LETTER. 


73 


mg a few days to reflect upon these proposals, Capt. Lock- 
yer observed to him that no reftecti'in could be necessary, 
respecting proposals that obviously precluded hesitation, 
as he was a Frenchman and proscribed by the American 
governOient. But to all his splendid promises and daring 
aisinuations, Lafitte replied, tliat in a few days he wo*uld 
give a final answer ; his object in this procrastination bein^j; 
to gain time to inform the officers of the state governmen'' 
of this nefarious project. Having occasion to go to some 
distance for a short time, the persons who had proposed 
to send the British officers j)risoners to New Orleans, went 
and seized them in his absence, and confined both them 
and the crew of the pinnace, in a secure place, leaving a 
guard at the door. The British officers sent for Lafitte; 
but he fearing an insurrection of the crews of the privateers 
thought it advisable not to see them, until he had first per- 
suaded their captains and officers to desist from the meas- 
ures on which they seemed bent. With this view he rep- 
resented to the latter that, Ixesides (he infamy that would 
attach to them, if they treated as prisoners, people who 
had come with a flag of truce, they would lose the oppor- 
tunity of discovering the projects of the British against 
Louisiana. 

Early the next morning Lafitte caused them to be re 
leased from their confinement and saw them safe on board 
their pinnace apologizing the detention. He now wrote 
to Capt. Lockyer the following letter. 

To Captain Lockyer. 

Barrataria, 4th Sept. 1814. 

Sir — The confusion which prevailed in our camp‘yester 
day and this morning, and of which you have a complete 
knowledge, has prevented me from answering in a precise 
manner to the object of your mission ; nor even at this 
moment can I give you all the satisfaction that you desire ; 
however, if you could grant me a fortnight, I would be 
entirely at your disposal at the end of that time. This 
delay is indispensable to enable me to put my affairs in 
order. You may communicate with me by sending a boat 
to the eastern point of the pass, where I will be found. 
You have inspired me with more confidence than the 


74 


THE LIFE OF LAFITTE 


admiral, your superior officer, could have done himself, 
with you alone, I wish to deal, and from you also I will 
claim, in due time the reward of the services, which I may 
render to you. Yours, &c. 

J. LAFITTE. 

His object in writing that letter was, by appearing dis- 
posed to accede to their proposals, to give time to commu 
nicate the affair to the officers of the state government, 
and to receive from them instructions how to act, under 
circumstances so critical and important to the country 
He accordingly wrote on the 4th September to Mr. Blanque, 
one of the representatives of the state, sending him all the 
papers delivered to him by the British officers with a letter 
addressed to his excellency, Gov. Claiborne of the state of 
Louisiana. 

To Gov. Claiborne. 

Barraiaria, Sept. 4th, 1814. 

Sir — In the firm persuasion that the choice made of you 
to fill the office of first magistrate of this state, was dicta- 
ted by the esteem of your fellow citizens, and wa« confer- 
red on merit, nI confidently address you on an affair on 
which may depend the safety of this country. I offer to 
you to restore to this state several citizens, who perhaps in 
your eyes have lost that sacred title. I offer you them, 
iio.vever, such as you could wdsh to find them, ready to 
exert their utmost efforts in defence of the country. This 
point of Louisiana, which I occupy, is of great importance 
in the present crisis. I tender my services to defend it j 
and the only reward I ask is that a stop Be put to the pro- 
scription against me and my adherents, by an act of 
oblivion, for all that has been done hitherto. I am the 
stray sheep wishing to return to the fold. If you are 
thoroughly acquainted with the nature of my offences, [ 
should appear to you much less guilty, and stih worthy to 
discharge the duties of a good citizen. I have never sailed 
under any flag but that of the republic of Carthagena, and 
my vessels are perfectly regular in that respect. If I could 
have brought my lawful prizes into the ports of this state, 

1 should not have employed the illicit means tliat have 


LAFITTe’s interview with general JACKSON. 

caused me to be pro«:cribed. I decline saying more on 
the subject, until I have the honor of your excellency’s 
answer, which I am persuaded Can be dictated only b}! 
wisdom. Should your answer not be favorable to my 
ardent desires, 1 declare to you that I will instantly leave 
the country, to avoid the imputation of having cooperated 
towards an invasion on this p- int, which cannot fail to 
take place, and to rest secure in the acquittal of my con- 
science 

I have the honor to be 

your excellency’s, &c. 

‘ J. LAFITTE. 

The contents of these letters do honor to Lahtie’s judg- 
ment, and evince his sincere attachment to the’ American 
cause. On the receipt of this packet from Lafitte, Mr. 
Blanque immediately laid its contents before the governor, 
who convened the committee of defence lately formed of 
which he was president ; and Mr. Rancher the bearer of 
Lafitte’s packet, was sent back with a verbal answer to 
desire Lafitte to take no steps until it should be deter- 
mined what was expedient to be done ; the message also 
contained an assurance that, in the meantime no steps 
should be taken against him for his past offences against 
the laws of the United States. 

At the expiration of the time agreed on with Captain 
Lockyer, his ship appeared again on the coast with two 
others, and continued standing off and on before the pass 
for several days. But he pretended not to perceive the 
return of the sloop of war, who tired of waiting to no pur- 
pose put out to sea and disappeared. 

Lafitte having received a guarantee from General Jack- 
eon for his safe passage from Barrataria to New Orleans 
and back, he proceeded forthwith to the city where he had 
an interview with Gov. Claiborne and the General. After 
the usual formalities and courtesies had taken place between 
these gentlemen, Lafitte addressed the Governor of Lou- 
isiana nearly as follows. I have oftered to defend for you 
that part of Louisiana I now hold. But not as an outlaw, 
would I be its defender. In that confidence, with which 
you have inspired me, I offer to restore to the state many 


76 


THE LIFE OF LAFITTE. 


citizens, now. under my coinmana. As I have remarked 
before, the point I occupy is of great importance in the 
present crisis. 1 tender not only my own services to defend 
it, but those of all I command ; and the only reward I ask, 
IS, that a stop be put to the proscription against me and 
my adherents, by an act of oblivion for all that has been 
(lone hitherto. 



Interview between Lajitte^ General Jackson, and Governor 
, Claiborne. 


‘‘ My dear sir,^’ said the Governor, who together with 
General Jackson, was impressed with admiration of his 
sentiments, “ your praiseworthy wishes shall be laid before 
tha council of the state, and I will confer with my august 
friend here present, upon this important affair, and send 
you an answer to-morrow.” As Lafitte withdrew, the Gen- 
eral said farewell ; when we meet again, I trust it will be 
;n the ranks of the American army. The result of the 
iwoa ♦L.j following ordcr. 


THE PROCLAMATION. 


77 


The Governor of Louisiana, informed that many indi- 
viduals implicated in the offences hereterfore committed 
against the United States at Barrataria, express a willing- 
ness at the present crisis to enrol themselves and march 
against the enemy. 

He does hereby invite them to join the standard of the 
United States and is authorised to say, should their con- 
duct in the field meet the approbation of the Major Gen- 
eral, that that officer will unite with the governor in a 
retpiest to the president of the United States, to extend to 
eaph and every individual, so marching and acting, a free 
and full pardon. These general orders were placed in the 
hands of Lafitte, who circulated them among his dispersed 
followers, most of whom readily embraced the conditions 
of pardon they held out. In a few days many brave men 
and skillful artillerists, whose services contributed greatly 
to the safety of the invaded state, flocked to the standard 
of the United States, and by their conduct, received the 
highest approbation of General Jackson. 


BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

A PROCLAMATION. 

“ Among the many evils produced by the wars, which, 
with little intermission, have afflicted Europe, and extended 
their ravages into other quarters of the globe, for a period 
exceeding twenty years, the dispersion of a considerable 
portion of the inhabitants of different countries, in sorrow 
and in want, has not been the least injurious to human 
happiness, nor the least severe in the trial of human virtue. 

‘‘ It had been long ascertained that many foreigners, 
flying from the dangers of their own home, and that some 
citizens, forgetful of their duty, had co-operated in forming 
an establishment on the island of Barrataria, near' the mouth 
of the river Mississippi, for the purpose of a clandestine 
and lawless trade, 'fhe government of the United States 
caused the establishment to be broken up and destroyed; 
and, having obtained the means of designating the olfenders 
of every description, it only remained to answer the de- 
mands of iustice by inflicting an e.xemplary punishment 

7 * 


78 


THE LIFE OF LAFITTE. 


“ But it has since been represented that the offenders 
have manifested a sincere penitence ; that they have aban- 
doned the prosecution of the worst cause for the support 
of the best, and, particularly, that they have exhibited, in 
the defence of New Orleans, unequivocal traits of courage 
and fidelity. Offenders, who have refused to become the 
associates of the enemy in the war, upon the most seduc- 
ing terms of invitation ; and who have aided to repel Iiis 
hostile invasion of the territory of the United States, can 
no longer be considered as objects of punishment, but as 
objects of a generous forgiveness. 

“ It has therefore been seen, with great satisfaction, that 
the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana earnestly 
recommend those offenders to the benefit of a full pardon ; 
And in compliance with that recommendation, as well as 
in consideration of all the other extraordinary circumstans" 
ces of the case, I, James Madison, President of the United 
States of America, do issue this proclamation, hereby grant- 
ing, publishing and declaring, a free and full pardon of all 
offences committed in violation of any act or acts of the 
Congress of the said United States, touching the revenue, 
trade and navigation thereof, or touching the intercourse 
and commerce of the United States with foreign nations, 
at any time before the eighth day of January, in the pres- 
ent year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, by any 
person or persons whatsoever, being inhabitants of New 
Orleans and the adjacent country, or being inhabitants of 
the said island of Barrataria, and the places adjacent ; Pro- 
vided, that every person, claiming the benefit of this full 
pardon, in order to entitle himself thereto, shall produce a 
certificate in writing from the governor of the State of 
Louisiana; stating that such person has aided in the defence 
of New Orleans and the adjacent country, during the inva- 
sion thereof as aforesaid. 

“ And I do hereby further authorize and direct all suits, 
indictments, and prosecutions, for fines, penalties, and for- 
feitures, against any person or persons, who shall be en- 
titled to the benefit of this full pardon, forthwith to be 
Stayed, discontinued and released : All civil officers are 
hereby required, according to the duties of their respective 
stations, to carry this proclamation into immediate and 
faithful execution. 


THE BATTLE 01* NEW ORLEANS. 


79 


“ Done at the City of Washington, the sixth day of 
February, in the year one thousand eight hundred 
and fifteen, and of the independence of the United 
States the thirty-ninth. 

‘‘ By the President, 

‘‘ James Madison 

James Monroe, 

Acting Secretary of State,^^ ~ 

The morning of the eighth of January, was ushered in 
with the discharge of rockets, the sound of cannon, and 
the cheers of the British soldiers advancing to the attack. 
The Americans, behind the breastwork, awaited in calm 
intrepidity their approach. The enemy advanced in close 
column of sixty men in front, shouldering their muskets 
and carrying fascines and ladders. A storm of rockets 
preceded them, and an incessant fire opened from the bat- 
tery, which commanded the advanced column. The mus- 
ketry and rifles from the Kentuckians and Tenneseeans, 
joined the fire of the artillery, and in a few moments was 
heard along the line a ceaseless, rolling fire, whose tremen- 
dous noise resembled the continued reverberation of thun- 
der. One of these guns, a twenty-four pounder, placed 
upon the breastwork in the third embrasure from the river, 
drew, from the fatal skill and activity with which it was 
managed, even in tfie heat of battle, the admiration of 
both Americans and British ; and became one of the points 
most dreaded by the advancing foe. 

Here was stationed Lafitte and his lieutenant Dominique 
and a large band of his men, who during the continuance 
of the battle, fought with unparalleled bravery. The 
British already had been twice driven back in the utmost 
confusion, with the loss of their Commander-in-chief, and 
two general officers. 

Two other batteries were manned by the Barratarians, 
who served their pieces with the steadiness and precision 
of veteran gunners. In the first attack of the enemy, a 
column pushed forward between the levee and river ; and 
so precipitate was their charge that the outposts were 
forced to retire, closely pressed by the enemy. Before the 
batteries could meet the charge, clearing the ditch, they 


80 


THE I.IFE OF r.AFlTTK. 


gained the redoubt through the embrasures, leaping over 
the parapet, and overwhelming by their superior force the 
small party stationed there. 

J.ahtte,, who was commanding in conjunction with his 
officers, at one of the guns, no sooner saw the bold move- 
ment of the enemy, than calling a few of his best men by 
his side, he sprung forward to the point of danger, and 
<’learing the breastwork of the entrenchments, leaped, cut 
lass in hand, into the midst of the enemy, followed by a 
score of his men, who in many a hard fought battle upon 
his own deck, had been well tried. 

Astonished at the intrepidity wffiich could lead men tc 
leave their entrenchments and meet them hand to band, 
and pressed by the suddenness of the charge, which was 
made with the recklessness, skill and rapidity of practised 
boarders bounding upon the deck of an enemy’s vessel, 
they began to give way, while one after another, two Brit- 
ish officers fell before the cutlass of the pirate, as they were 
bravely encouraging their men. All the energies of the 
British were now concentrated to scale the breastwork 
which one daring officer had already mounted. While 
Lafitte and his followers, seconding a gallant band of vol- 
unteer riflemen, formed a phalanx which they in vain 
assayed to penetrate. 

The British finding it impossible to take the city and the 
havock in their ranks being dreadful, made a precipitate 
retreat, leaving the field covered w'ith their dead and 
wounded. 

General Jackson, inYiis correspondence with the secre- 
tary of war did not fail to notice the conduct of the “ Cor 
sairs of Barrataria,” who were, as we have already seen, 
employed in the artillery service. In the course of the 
campaign they proved, in an unequivocal manner, that 
they had been misjudged by the enemy, who a short time 
previous to the invasion of Louisiana, had hoped to enlist 
them in his cause. Many of them w ere killed or wounded 
in the defence of the country. Their zeal, their courage, 
and their skill, were remarked by the whole army, wJio 
could no longer consider such brave men as criminals. In 
a few days peace was declared between Great Britain and 
the United States. 


lafittf/s j.etter. 


bl 

The piratical establishment of I3arrataria having been 
broken up and Lafitte not being content with leading an 
honest, peaceful life, procured some fast sailing vessels, 
and with a great number of his follo\’; ers, [Vroceeded to 
Galvezton Bay, in Texas, during the year 1819; where he 
received a commission from General Long; and had five 
vessels generally cruising and about 300 men. Jwo open 
boats bearing commissions from General Humbert, of Gal- 
vezton, having robbed a plantation on the Marmento river, 
of negroes, money, 6lc. were captured in the Sabine river, 
by the boats of the United States schooner Lynx. One 
of the men was hung by Lafitte, who dreaded the ven- 
geance of the American government. The Lynx also 
captured one of his schooners, and her prize that bad been 
for a length of time smuggling in the Carmento. One 
of his cruisers, named the Jupiter, returned safe to Galvez- 
ton after a short cruise with a valuable cargo, principally 
specie ; she was the first vessel that sailed under the au- 
thority of Texas. The American government well know- 
I ing that where Lafitte was, piracy and smuggling'wbuld be 
i the order of the day, sent a vessel of war to cruise in the 
I Gulf of Mexico, and scour the coasts of Texas. Lafitte 
having been appointed governor of Galvezton and one of 
tiie cruisers being stationed off the port to watch his mo- 
tions, it so annoyed him that he wrote the following- letter 
to her commander. Lieutenant Madison. 

To the commandant of the American cruiser, off the port 
of Galvezton. 

Sir — I am convinced that you are a cruiser of the navy, 
i ordered by your government. I have therefore deemed it 
I proper to inquire into the cause of your lying before this 
j port without communicating your intention. I shall by 
f this message inform you, that the port of Galvezton belongs 
1 to and is in the possession of the republic of 'Fexas, and 
I was made a port of entry the 9th October last. And 
whereas the supreme congress of said repul)lic have thought 
t: proper to appoint me as governor of this place, in conse 
quence of which, if you have any demands on said govern- 
ment, or persons belonging to or residing in the same, you 


82 


THE LIFE OF LAFITTE. 


Will please to send an officer with 'such demands, whom 
you may be assured will be treated with the greatest 
politeness, and receive every satisfaction required. But if 
you are ordered, or should attempt to enter this port in a 
liostrle manner, my oath and duty to the government com- 
pels me to rebut your intentions at the expense of my life. 

To prove to you my intentions towards the welfare and 
narmony ?>f your government, I send enclosed the declara- 
tion of several prisoners, who were taken in custody yester- 
day, and by a court of inquiry appointed for that purpose, 
were found guilty of robbing the inhabitants of the United 
States of a number of slaves and specie. The gentleman 
bearing this message will give you any reasonable informa- 
tion relating to this place, that may be required. 

Yours, &c. 

J. LAFITTE. 

About this time one Mitchell, who had formerly belonged 
to Lafitte’s gang, collected upwards of one hundred and 
fifty desperadoes and fortified himself on an island near 
Barrataria, wdth several pieces of cannon ; and swore that 
he and all his comrades would perish within their trenches 
before they would surrender to any man. Four of this 
gang having gone to New Orleans on a frolic, information 
was given to the city watch, and the house surrounded, 
when the whole four wdth cocked pistols in both hands sal- 
lied out and marched* through the crowd w hich made way 
for them and no person dared to make an attempt to arrest 
them. 

The United States cutter, Alabama, on her way to the 
station off the mouth of the Mississippi, captured a pirati- 
cal schooner belonging to Lafitte ; slie carried two guns 
and twenty-five men, and was fitted out at New Orleans, 
and commanded by one of Lafitte’s lieutenants, named Lc 
Page; the schooner had a prize in company and being 
hailed by the cutter, poured into her a volley of musketry * 
the cutter then opened upon the privateer and a smart 
action ensued which terminated in favor of the cutter, 
w'hich had four men wounded and two of them danger 
ously ;■ but the pirate had six men killed ; both vessels 
were raptured and brought into the Bayou St. John. An 


TWENTY OF, MITCH ELl's GANG TAKEN. 83 

expedition was now dislodge Mitchell and his com- 

rades from the island he had taken possession of; after 
corning to anchor, a summons was sent for him to surren 
der, which was answered by a brisk cannonade from his 
breastwork. The vessels were warped close in shore ; and 
the boats manned and sent on shore whilst the vessels 
opened upon the pirates ; the boat’s crews landed under a 
galling fire of grape shot and formed in the most undaunted 
manner; and although a severe loss was sustained they 
entered the breastwork at the point of the bayonet ; after 
a desperate fight the pirates gave way, many were taken 
prisoners, but Mitchell and the greatest part escaped to the 
Cypress swamps where it was impossible to arrest them. 
A large quantity of dry goods and specie together with 
other booty was taken. Twenty of the pirates were taken 
and brought to New Orleans, and tried before Judge Hall, 
of the Circuit Court of the United States, sixteen were 
brought in guilty ; and after the Judge had finished pro- 
nouncing sentence of death upon the hardened wretches, 
several of them cried out in open court, Murder — by God. 

Accounts of these transactions having reached Lafitte, 
he plainly perceived there was a determination to sweep 
all his cruisers from the sea ; and a war of extermination 
appeared to be waged against him. 

In a fit of desperation he procured a large and fast sail- 
ing brigantine mounting sixteen guns and having selected 
a crew of one hundred and sixty men ne started without 
any commission as a regular pirate determined to rob all 
nations and neither to give or receive quarter. A British 
sloop of war which was cruising in the Gulf of Mexico, 
having heard that Lafitte himself was at sea, kept a sharp 
look out from the mast head ; when one morning as an 
officer was sweeping the horizon with his glass he discov- 
ered a lon^dark looking vessel 'low in the water, but hav- 
ing very tall masts, witTi sails white as the driven snow. 
As the sloop of war had the weather gage of the pirate 
and could outsail her before the wind, she set her stud- 
ying SLiils and crowded every inch of canvass in chase ; as 
soon as liafitte ascertained the character of his opponent, 
he ordered the awnings to be furled and set his big square- 
sail and shot rapidly through the water ; but as the breeze 


81 


THE LIFE OF LAF£:pTE. 


freshened the sloop of war came up rapidly with the 
pirate, who finding no chance of escaping, determined to 
sell his life as dearly as possible ; the guns were cast loose 
and the shot handed up ; and a fire opened upon the ship 
which killed a number of men and carried away her fore- 
topmast, but she reserved her fire until within cable’s dis- 
tance of the pirate; when she fired a general discharge 
from her broadside, and a volley of small arms ; the broad- 
side was too much elevated to hit the low hull of the brig- 
antine, but was not without effect ; the foretopmast fell, 
the jaws^f the main gaff were severed and a large propor- 
tion of the rigging came rattling down on deck ; ten of the 
pirates were killed, but Lafitte remained unhurt. The 
sloop of war entered her men over the starboard bow and 
a terriffic contest with pistols and cutfasses ensued ; Lafitte 
received two wounds at this time which disabled him, a 
grape shot broke the bone of his right leg and he received 
a cut in the abdomen, but his crew fought like tigers and' 
the deck was ancle deep with blood and gore ; the captain 
of the boarders received such a tremendous blow on the 
head from the butt end of a musket, as stretched him 
senseless on the deck near Lafitte, w’ho raised his dagger 
to stab him to the heart. But the tide of his existence was 
ebbing like a torrent, his brain was giddy, his aim faltered 
and the point descended in the Captain’s right thigh ; 
dragging away the blade with the last convulsive energy 
of a death struggle, he lacerated the wound. Again the 
reeking steel was upheld, and Lafitte placed his left hand 
near the Captain’s heart, to make his aim more sure ; again 
the dizziness of dissolution spread over his sight, down 
came the dagger into the captain’s left thigh and Lafitte 
was a corpse. 

The upper deck was cleared, and the boarders rushed 
below on the main deck to complete their conquest. Here 
the slaughter was dreadful, till the pirates called out for 
quarter, and the carnage ceased ; all the pirates that sur- 
rendered were taken to Jamaica and tried before the Admi- 
ralty court where sixteen were condemned to die, six were 
subsequently pardoned and ten executed. * 

Thus perished Lafitte, a man superior in talent, in know!- 
edge of his profession, in courage, and moreover in physi- 


THE DEATH OF LAFITTE. 


85 


Mil strength ; but unfortunately his reckless career wti# 
marked with crimes of tire darkest dye. 

“ He was the mildest manner’d man. 

Tlyit ever scuttled ship or cut a throat; 

Witli such true breeding^of a gentleman, 

You never could discern his real thought. 

Pity he loved an adventurous life’s variety, 

He was so great a loss to good society ” 



8 


THE LIFE OF 

CAPTAIN ROBERTA 


Bartholomew Roberts was trained to a sea-faring life 
Among other voyages which he made during the time that 
he lawfully procured his maintenance, he sailed for the 
Guinea coast, in November, 1719, where he was taken by 
tlie pirate Davis. He was at first very averse to that 
mode of life, jd would certainly have deserted, had an 
opportunity occurred. It happened to him, however, as 
to many upon another element, that preferment calmed his 
conscience, and reconciled him to that which he formerly 
hated. 

Davis having fallen in the manner related, those who had 
assumed the title of Lords assembled to deliberate concern- 
ing the choice of a new commander. There were several 
candidates, who, by their services, had risen to eminence 
among their brethren, and each of them thought themselves 
qualified to bear rule. One addressed the assembled lords, 
saying, “ that the good of the whole, and the maintenance 
of order, demanded a head, but that the proper auwiorit) 
was deposited in the community at large ; so that if one 
should be elected who did not act and govern for the gen 
eral good, he could be deposed, and another be substitutea 
in-his place.” 

“We are the original,” said he, “ of this claim, and should 
a captain ue so saucy as to exceed prescription at any time, 
why, down with him ! It will be a caution, after he is dead, 
to his successors, to what fatal results any undue assumption 
may lead ; however, it is my advice, w’hile we are sober, to 
])itch upon a man of courage, and one skilled in navigation, 
— one who, by his prudence and bravery, seems best able 
to defend this commonwealth, and ward us from the dangers 
and tempests of an unstable element, and the fatal conse- 
quences of anarchy ; and such a one I take Roberts to oe : 
a fellow in all respects worthy of your esteem and favor.’* 


CAPTURE OF A DUTCH GUINEAMAN. 


87 


This speech was applauded by all but Lord Simpson, 
who had himself strong expectations of obtaining the high- 
est command. Heat last, in a surly tone, said, he did not 
regard whom they chose as a commander, jjrovided he was 
not a papist, for he had conceived a mortal hatred to papists, 
because his father had been a sufferer in Monmouth’s rebel- 
lion. 

Thus, though Roberts had only been a few weeks among 
them, his election was confirmed by the Lords and Com- 
mons. He,, with the best face he could, accepted of tlie 
ugnity, saying, “ that since he had dipped his hands in 
muddy water, and must be a pirate, it was better being a 
commander than a private man.” 

The governor being settled, and other officers chosen in 
the room of those who had fallen with Davis, it was resolved 
not to leave this place without revenging his death. Ac- 
cordingly, thirty men, under the command of one Kennedy, 
a bold and profligate fellow, landed, and undercover of the 
fire of the ship, ascended the hill upon which the fort stood. 
They were no sooner discovered by the Portuguese, than 
they abandoned the fort, and took shelter in the town. 
The pirates then entered without opposition, set fire to the 
fort, and tumbled the guns into the sea. 

Not satisfied with this injury, some proposed toland and 
set the town in flames. Roberts, however, reminded them 
of the great danger to which this would inevitably expose 
them ; that there was a thick wood at the back of the town, 
where the inhabitants could hide themselves, and that, when 
their all was at stake, they would make a bolder resistance : 
and that the burning or destroying of a few houses, would 
be a small return for their labor, and the loss that they might 
sustain. This prudent advice had the desired effect, and 
they contented themselves with lightening the French ves- 
sel, and battering down several houses of the town, to show 
their high displeasure. 

Roberts sailed southward, captured a Dutch Guineaman 
and, ha\ing emptied her of everything they thought proper, 
returned her to the commander. Two days after, he cap- 
tured an English ship, and, as the men joined in pirating, 
emptied and burned the vessel, and then sailed for St, 
^homas. Meeting with no prize, he sailed for Anarnaboa, 


88 


THK LIFE OF CAPTAIN ROBERTS. 


and there watered and repaired. Having again put to sea, 
a vote was taken whether they should sail for the East Indies 
or for Brazil. The latter place was decided upon, arid they 
ai rived there in twenty-eight days. 

Upon this coast our rovers cruised for about nine weeks, 
keeping generally out of sight of land, but w-thout seeing 
a sail ; which discouraged them so, that they determined to 
leave the station, and steer for the West Indies; and, in 
order thereto, they stood in to make the land for the taking 
of their departure, by which means they fell in, unexpect- 
edly, with a fleet of forty-two sail of Portugut^e ships, off 
the Bay of Los Todos Santos, with all their lading in for 
Lisoon ; several of them of good force, wha lay there wait- 
ing for two men of war of seventy guns each for their con- 
voy. However, Roberts thought it should go hard with 
him but he would make up his market among them, and 
thereupon he mixed with the fleet, and kept his men con- 
cealed till proper resolutions could be formed ; that done 
they came close up to one of the deepest, and ordered her 
to send the master on board quietly, threatening to give 
them no quarter, if any resistance or s gnal of distress was 
made. The Portuguese, being surprised at these threats, 
and the sudden flourish of cutlasses from the pirates, sub- 
mitted without a word, and the captain carne on board. 
Roberts saluted him in a friendly manner, telling him, that 
they were gentlemen of fortune, and that their business 
with him was only to be informed which was the richest 
ship in that fleet ; and if he directed them right, he should 
be restored to his ship without molestation, otherwise he 
must expect instant death. 

He then pointed to a vessel of forty guns, and a hundred 
and fifty men ; and though her strength was greatly superior 
to Roberts^ yet he made towards her, taking the master of 
the captured vessel along with him. Coming alongside of 
her, Roberts ordered the prisoner to ask, “ How Seignior 
Captain did ? ” and to invite him on board, as he had a 
matter of importance to impart to him. He was answered, 
That he would wait upon him presently.” Roberts, 
however, observing more than ordinary bustle on board, at 
once concluded they were discovered, and pouring a broad- 
side into her, they immediately boarded, grappled, and took 


THE MISERABLE CONDITION OF ROBERTS. 


89 


her She was a very rich prize, laden with sugar, skins, 
and tobacco, with four thousand rnoidores of gold, besides 
other valuable articles. 

In possession of so much riches, they now became solic- 
itous to find a safe retreat in which to spend their time in 
mirth and wantonness. They determined upon a place 
called the Devil’s Islands, upon the river Surinam, where 
they arrived in safety, and met with a kind reception from ' 
the governor and the inhabitants. 

In this river they seized a sloop, which informed them 
tliat she had sailed in company with a brigantine loaded 
with provisions. This was welcome intelligence, as their 
provisions were nearly exhausted. Deeming this too im- 
portant a business to trust to foreign hands, Roberts, with 
forty men in the sloop, gave chase to that sail. In the 
keenness of the moment, and trusting, to his usual good 
fortune, Roberts supposed that he had only to take a short 
sail, in order to bring in the vessel with her cargo ; but to 
his sad disappointment, he pursued her during eight days, 
and instead of gaining, was losing way. Under these 
circumstances, he came to anchor, and sent oflf the boat to 
give intelligence of their distress to their companions. 

In their extremity of want, they took up part of the floor 
of the cabin, and patched up a sort of tray with rope-yarns, 
to paddle on shore to get a little water to preserve their 
lives. When their patience was almost exhausted, the boat 
returned, but instead of provisions, brought the unpleasing 
information, that the lieutenant, one Kennedy, had run off* 
with both the ships. 

The misfortune and misery of Roberts were greatly ag- * 
gravated by reflecting upon his own imprudence and want 
of foresight, as well as from the baseness of Kennejdy and 
his crew. Impelled by the iiecessity of his situation, he 
now began to reflect upon the means he" should employ for 
future support. Under the foolish supposition that any 
laws, oaths or regulations, could bind those who had bid- 
den open defiance to all divine and human laws, he pro- 
ceeded to form a code of regulations for the maintenance 
of order and unity in his little commonwealth. 

But present necessity compelled them to action, and 
with their small sloop they sailed for the West Indies 

G 


0 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN ROBERTS. 


They were not long before they captured two sloops, which 
supjJied them with provisions, and a few days after, a 
brigantine,' and then proceeded to Barbadoes. When off 
that island they met a vessel of ten guns, richly laden from 
Bristol ; after plundering, and detaining her three days, 
they allowed her to prosecute her voyage. This vessel, 
however, informed the governor of what liad befallen them, 
who sent a vessel of twenty guns and eighty men in quest 
qf the pirates. 

That vessel was commanded by one Rogers, who, on 
the second day of his cruise, discovered Roberts. Ignorant 
of any vessel being sent after them, they made towards 
each other. Roberts gave him a gun, but instead of stri- 
king, the other returned a broadside, with three^ huzzas. 
A severe engagement ensued, and Roberts being hard put 
to it, lightened liis vessel and ran off. 

Roberts then sailed for the Island of Dominica, where he 
watered, and was supplied by the inhabitants with provi- 
sions, for which he gave them goods in return. Here he 
met with fifteen Englishmen left upon the island by a 
Frenchman, who had made a prize of their vessel ; and 
they, entering into his service, proved a seasonable addition 
to his strength. 

Though he did not think this a proper place for clean- 
ing, yet as it was absolutely necessary that it should be 
done, he directed his course to the Granada islands for that 
purpose. This, however, had well nigh proved fatal to 
him ; for the Governor of Martinique fitted out two sloops 
to go in quest of the pirates. They, however, sailed to 
the above-mentioned place, cleaned with unusual despatch, 
and just left that place the night before the sloops in pur- 
suit of them arrived. 

They next sailed for Newfoundland, arriving upon the 
banks in June 1720, and entered the harbour of Trepassi, 
with their black colours flying, drums beating, and trum- 
pets sounding. In that harbour there were no Jess than 
twenty-two ships, which the men abandoned upon the 
sight of the pirates. It is impossible to describe the injury 
which they did at this place, by burning or sinking the 
ships, destroying the plantations, and pillaging the houses. 
Power in the hands of mean and ignorant men renders them 


DESTROYS TEN SAIL OF FRENCH SHIPS. 


91 


wanton, insolent and cruel. They are literally like mad' 
men, who cast firebrands, arrows and death, and say, 
‘‘Are not we in sport?” 

Roberts reserved a Bristol galley from his depredations 
in the harbour, which he fitted and manned for his own 
service. Upon the banks he met ten sail of French ships, 
and destroyed them all, except one of twenty-six guns, 
w hicTi he seized and carried off, and called her the For- 
tune. Then giving the Bristol galley to the Frenchman 
they sailed in quest of new adventures, and soon took sev- 
eral prizes, and out of them increased the number of their 
own hands. The Samuel, one of these, was a very rich 
vessel, having some respectable passengers on board, who 
were roughly used, and threatened with death if they did 
not deliver up their money and their goods. They stripped 
the vessel of every article, either necessary for their vessel 
o'r themselves, to the amount of eight or nine thousand 
pounds. They then deliberated whether to sink or burn 
the Samuel, but in the mean time they discovered a sail, 
so they left the empty Samuel, and gave the other chase. 
At midnight they overtook her, and she proved to be the 
Snow from Bristol ; and, because he was an Englishman, 
they used the master in a cruel and barbarous manner. 
Two days after, they took the Little York of Virginia, and 
the Love of Liverpool, both of which'they plundered and 
sent off. In three days they captured three other vessels, 
removing the goods out of them, sinking one, and sending 
off the other two. 

They next sailed for the West Indies, but provisions 
growing short, proceeded to St. Christopher’s, w'hen being 
chi] lied provisions by the governor, they fired on the town, 
and burnt two ships in the roads. They then repaired to 
the island of St. Bartholomew, where thg governor sup- 
plied them with every necessary, and caressed them in the 
kindest manner. Satiated with indulgence, and having ta- 
ken in a large stock of everything necessary, they unani- 
mously voted to hasten to the coast of Guinea. In their 
Way they took a Frenchman, and as she was fitter for the 
pirate service than their own, they informed the. captain, 
that, as “ a fair exchange was no robbery,” they would ex- 
change sloops with him ; accordingly, having shifted theii 


92 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN ROBERTS. 


men, they set sail. However, going by mistake out of tne 
irack of the trade winds, tfiey were under the necessity o/ 
*-eturning to the West Indies. 

They now directed their course to Surinam, but not 
having sufficient water for the voyage, they were soon re- 
duced to a mouthful of water in the day ; their numbers 
daily diminished by thirst and famine, and the few A\dio 
survived were reduced to the greatest weakness. Tlrey at 
last had not one drop of water or any other liquid, when, 
to their inexpressible joy, they anchored in seven fathoms 
of water. This tended to revive exhausted nature and in- 
spire them with new vigour, though as yet they had re- 
ceived no relief. In the morning they discovered land, 
but at such a distance that their hopes were greatly 
damped. The boat was however sent otY, and at night re- 
turned with plenty of that neces.sary element. But this 
remarkable deliverance produced no reformation in the 
manners of these unfeeling and obdurate men. 

Steering their course from that place to Barbadoes, in 
their way they met with a vessel which supplied them with 
all necessaries. Not long after, they captured a brigantine, 
the mate of which joined . their association. Having from 
these two obtained a large supply, they changed their 
course and watered at Tobago. Informed, however, that 
there were two vessels sent in pursuit of them, they went 
to return their compliments to the Governor of Martinique 
for this kindness. 

It was the custom of the Dutch interlopers, when they 
approached this island to trade with the inhabitants, to hoist 
their jacks. Roberts knew the signal, and did so likewise. 
They, supposing that a good market was near, strove wdio 
could first reach Roberts. Determined to do them all pos- 
sible mischief he destroyed them one by one as they came 
into his power. He only reserved one ship to send the 
men on shore, and burnt the remainder, to the number of 
twenty. 

Roberts and his crew were so fortunate as to capture 
several vessels and to render their liquor so plentiful, that 
it was esteemed a crime against Providence not to be con- 
tinually drunk. One man, remarkable for his sobriety, 
along with two others, found an opportunity to set otf 


THE PIRATES CAROUSING. 


93 


Without taking leave of their friends. But a despatch be- 
ing sent after them, they were brought back, and in a for- 
mal manner tried and sentenced, but one of them w 
saved by the humorous interference of one of the jud 



Captain Roberts^ Crew carousing at Old Calabar River. 


whose speech was truly worthy of a pirate — while the 
other two suffered the punisiiment of death. 


94 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN ROBERTS. 


When necessity again compelled them, they renewed 
their cruising ; and, dissatisfied with capturing vessels 
Jvliich only afTorded them a temporary supply, directed 
Jlieir course to the Guinea coast to forage for gold. In- 
toxication rendered them unruly, and the brigantine at 
last embraced the cover of night to abandon the commo- 
dore. Unconcerned at the loss of his companion, Roberts 
pursued his voyage. He fell in with two French ships, 
the one of ten guns and sixty-five men, and the other of 
sixteen guns and seventy-five men. These dastards no 
sooner beheld the black flag than they surrendered. With 
these they went to Sierra Leone, constituting one of them 
a consort, by the name of the Ranger, and the other a 
store-ship. This port being frequented by the greater part 
of the traders to that quarter, they remained here six 
weeks, enjoying themselves in all the splendor and luxury 
of a piratical life. 

After this they Renewed their voyage, and having cap- 
tured a vessel, the greater part of the men united their 
fortunes with the pirates. On board of one of the ships 
was a clergyman, whom some of them proposed taking 
along with them, for no other reason than that they had 
not a chaplain on board. They endeavored to gain his 
conserit, and assured him that he should want for nothing, 
and his only work would be, to make punch and say 
prayers. Depraved, however, as these men were, they did 
not choose to constrain him to go, but displayed their 
civility further, by permitting him to carry along with him 
whatever he called his owjjA After several cruises, they 
now went into a convenientpiarbor at Old Calabar, where 
they cleaned, refitted, divided their booty, and for a con- 
siderable time caroused, to banish care and sober ‘reflec- 
tion. 

According to their usual custom, the time of festivity 
and mirth was prolonged until the want of means recalled 
them to reason and exertion. Leaving this port, they 
cruised from place to place with varied success ; but in al 
their captures, either burning, sinking, or devoting their 
prizes to their own use, according to the whim of the 
moment. The Swallow and another man-of-war b-ing 
sent out expressly to pursue and take Roberts and his fleet| 


CAPTURE OF A PIRATE CRUISER. 95 

he had frequent and certain intelligencer of their destina- 
tion ; but having so often escaped their vigilance, he 
became rather too secure and fearless. It happened, how- 
ever, that while he lay off Cape Lopez, the Swallow had 
information of his being in that place, and made towards 
him. Upon the appearance of a sail, one of Roberts’ 
ships was sent to chase and take her. The pilot of the 
Swallow seeing her coming, manoeuvred his vessel so well, 
that though he fled at her approach, in order to draw her 
out of the reach of her associates, yet he at his own time 
allowed her to overtake tlie man-of-war. 

Upon her coming up to the Swallow, the pirate hoisted 
the black flag, and fired upon her ; but how greatly were 
her crew astonished, when they saw that they had to con- 
tend with a man-of-war, and seeing that all resistance was 
vain, they cried out for quarter, which was granted, and 
they were made prisoners, having ten men killed and 
twenty wounded, without the loss or hurt of one of thei 
king’s men. 

On the 10th, in the morning, the man-of-war bore away 
to round the cape. Roberts’ crew, discerning their masts 
over the land, went down into the cabin to acquaint him 
of it, he being then at breakfast wdth his new guest, cap- 
tain Hill, on a savoury dish of salmagundy and some of 
his own beer. He took no notice of it, and his men 
almost as little, some saying she was a Portuguese ship, 
others a French slave ship, but the major part swore it 
was the French Ranger returning; and they were merrily 
debating for some time on the manner of reception, whether 
they should salute her or not ; but as the Swallow ap- 
proached nearer, things appeared plainer ; and though they 
wlio showed any apprehension of danger were stigmatized 
with the name of cowards, yet some of them, now unde- 
ceived, declared it to Roberts, especially one Armstrong, 
who had deserted from that ship, and knew her well 
These Roberts swore at as cowards, who meant to dis- 
h(?arten the men, asking them, if it were so, whether the’^ 
were afraid to fight or not ? In short, he hardly refrained 
from blows. What his awn apprehensions were, till sh3 
hauled up her ports and hoisted her proper colors, is un- 
certain ; but then, being perfectly convinced., h*e slipped 


96 


TfIF. I.IFE OF CAPTAIN ROOKRTS. 


his cable, got under sail, ordered his meu to arms without 
any show of timidity, droj*|)ing a first-rate oiith, that it was 
a bite, but at the same time resolved, like a galkint rogue, 
to get clear or die. 

There was one Armstrong, as was iust mentioned, a 
deserter from the Swallow, of whom they enquired con- 
cerning the trim and sailing of that ship ; he told them she 
sailed best upon the wind, and therefore, if they designed 
to leave her, they should go before it. 

The danger was imminent, and the time very short, to 
consult about means to extricate liimself; his resolution in 
thi 5 strait was as follows: to pass close to the Swallow 
with all their sails, and receive her broadside before they 
returned a shot ; if disabled by this, or if they could not 
depend on sailing, then to run on shore at the point, and 
every one to shift for himself among the negroes ; or fail- 
ing in these, to board, and blow up together, for he saw 
that the greatest part of his men were drunk, passively 
courageous, and unfit for service. 

Roberts, himself, made a gallant figure at the time of the 
engagement, being dressed in, a rich crimson damask waist- 
coat and breeches, a red feather in his hat, a gold chain 
round his neck, with a diamond cro.'S hanging to it, a 
sword in his hand, and two pair of pistols hanging at the 
end of a silk sling flung over his shoulders, according to 
the custom of the |>irates. He is said to have given his 
orders with boldness and spirit. Coming, according to 
what he had purposed, close to the man-of-war, he received 
her fire, and then hoisted his black flag and returned it, 
shooting away from her with all the sail he could pack ; 
and had he taken Armstrong’s advice to have gone before 
the wind, he had probably escaped ; but keeping his tacks 
down, either by the wind’s shifting, or ill steerage, or both, 
he was taken aback with his sails, and the Swallow came 
a second time very nigh to him. He had now, perhaps, 
finished the fight very desperately, if death, who took a 
swift passage in a grape shot, had not interposed^ and 
struck him directly on the throat. He settled himself on 
the tackles of a gun ; w hich one Stephenson, from the 
helm, observing, ran to hi§ assistance, and not perceiving 
him wounded, swore at him, and bade him stand up and 


THE -PIRATES EXECUTED. 


97 


fight like a man ; but when he found his mistake, and that 
his captain was certainly dead, he* burst into tears, and 
vished the next shot might be his portion. They pres- 
ently threw him overboard, with his arms and ornaments 
on, according to his repeated request in his life-time. 

This extraordinary man and daring pirate was tall, of a 
dark complexion, about 40 years of age, and born in Pem- 
brokeshire. His parents were honest and respectable, and 
his natural activity, courage, and invention, were superior 
to his education. At a very early period, he, in drinking, 
would imprecate vengeance upon ‘‘ the head of him who 
ever lived to wear a halter.’’ He went willingly into the 
pirate service, and served three years as a second man 
It was not for want of employment, but from a roving, 
wild, and boisterous turn of mind. It was his usual de- 
claration, that, “ In an honest service, there are commonly 
low wages and hard labor; in this,— plenty, satiety, pleas- 
ure and ease, liberty, and power ; and who would not bal- 
ance creditor on this side, when all the hazard that is run 
for it at worst, is only a sour look or two at choking ? 
No, — a merry life and a short one, shall be my motto ! ” 
But it was one favorable trait in his character, that he 
never forced any man into the pirate service. 

The prisoners were strictly guarded while on board, and 
being conveyed to Cape Coast castle, they underwent a 
long and solemn trial. . The generality of them remained 
daring and impenitent for some time, but when they fouiid 
themselves confined within a castle, and their fate drawing 
near, they changed their course, and became serious, peni 
tent, and fervent in their devotions. Though the judges 
found no small difficulty in explaining the law, and dilTer- 
t.ii acts of parliament, yet the facts were so numerous and 
fiagraut which were proved against them, that there was 
no 6''' [iculty in bringing in a verdict of guilty. 


9 


THE LIFE OF 


CHARLES GIBBS 

Containing an Account of his Atrocities committed 
in the West Indies. 


This atrocious and cruel pirate, when very young be 
came addicted to vices uncommon in youths of his ao-e, 
and so far from the gentle reproof and friendly admonition, 
or the more severe chastisement of a fond parent, having 
its intended effect, it seemed to rende^him still worse, and 
to incline him to repay those whom he ought to have 
esteemed as his best friends ard who had manifested so 
much regard for his welhire, with ingratitude and neglect. 
His infamous career and ignominious death on the gallows j 
which brought down the grey hairs of hfs parents in sor- 
row to the grave.” The poignant affliction which the 
infamous crimes of children bring upon their relatives 
ought to be one of the most effective persuasions for them 
to refrain from vice. 

Charles Gibbs was born in the state of Rhode Island, in 
1794 ; his parents and connexions were of the first respecta- 
bility. When at school, he was very apt to learn, but so 
refractory and sulky, that neither the birch nor good coun- 
se made any impression on him, and he was expelled the 
school. 

He was now made to labor on the farm ; but having a 
great antipathy to work, when about fifteen years of a^re, 
feeling a great inclination to roam, and like too many un- 
eflecting youths of that age, a great fondness for the sea, 
ne m opposition to the friendly counsel of his parents, pri' 
vately left them and entered on board the United States 
sloop-of-War, Hornet, and was in the action when she 


GIBBS TAKEN PRISONER OF WAR. 


99 


captured the British sloop-of-War, Peacock, off the coast 
of Pernambuco. Upon the return of the Hornet to the 
United States, her brave commander, Capt. Lawrence, was 
promoted for his gallantry to the command of the unfortu- 
nate Chesapeake, and to which he was followed by young 
Gibbs, who took a very distinguished part in the engage- 
ment with the Shannon, which resulted in the death of 
Lawrence and the capture of the Chesapeake. Gibbs 
states that while on board the Chesapeake the crew previ- 
ous tp the action, were almost in a state of mutiny, grow- 
ing out of the non payment of the prize money, and that 
the address of Capt. Lawrence was received by them with 
coldness and murmurs. 

After the engagement, Gibbs became with the ' survivors 
of the crew a prisoner of war, and as such was confined in 
Dartmoor prison until exchanged. 

After his exchange, he returned to Boston, where having 
determined to abandon the sea, he applied to his friends in 
Rhode Island, to assist him in commencing business ; they 
accordingly lent him one thousand dollars as a capital to 
begin with. He opened a grocery in Ann Street, near 
what was then called the Tin Pot, a place full of aban- 
doned women and dissolute fellows. As he dealt chiefly 
in liquor, and had a “ License to retail Spirits , his 
drunkery was thronged with customers. But he sold his 
groceries chiefly to loose girls who paid him in their coin, 
which, although it answered his purpose, would neither buy 
him goods or pay his rent, and he found his stock rapid!) 
dwindling away without his receiving any cash to replenisl 
it. By dissipation and inattention his new business proved 
unsuccessful to him. He resolved to abandon it and again 
try the sea for a subsistence. With a hundred dollars in 
his pocket, the remnant of his property, he embarked in 
the ship John, for Buenos Ayres, and his means being 
exhausted soon after his arrival there, he entered on board 
a Buenos Ayrean privateer and sailed on a cruise. A 
quarrel between the officers and crew in regard to the 
division of prize money, led eventually to a mutiny ; and 
the mutineers gained the ascendancy, took possession of 
the vessel, landed th^ crew on the coast of Florida, and 
steered for the West indies, with hearts resolved to make 


100 


THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS. 


their fortunes at all hazards, and where in a short time 
more than twenty vessels were captured by them and nearl} 
Four Hundred Human Beings Murdered! 

Havanna was the resort of these pirates, to dispose of their 
plunder}' and Gibbs sauntered about this place with impu- 
nity and was acquainted in all the out of the way and bye 
places of that hot bed of pirates, the Regia. He and his 
comrades even lodged in the very houses with many of the 
American officers who were sent out to take them. He 
was acquainted with many of the officers, and was apprised 
of all their intended movements before they left the har- 
bor. On one occasion, the American ship Caroline, w; s 
captured by two of their piratical vessels ott’ Cape Anto- 
nio. They were busily engaged in landing the cargo, when 
the British sloop of war, Jearus, hove in sight and sent her 
barges to attack them. The pirates defended themselves 
for some time behind a small four gun battery which they 
had erected, but in the end were forced to abandon tlieir 
own vessel and the prize and fly to the mountains for safety. 
Th(‘ Jeariis found here twelve vessels burnt to the water’s 
edge, and it was satisfactorily ascertained that their crews, 
amounting to one hundred and fifty persons had been mur- 
dered. I'he crews, jf it was thought not neressary other- 
ways to dispose of them were sept adrift in their boats, and 
frequently without any thing on which they could subsist a 
single day ; nor were .all so fortunate thus to escape. 
“ Dead men can tell no tales,” was a common saying 
among them ; and as soon as a ship’s crew were taken, a 
short consultation was held; and if it was the opinion of a 
majority that it would be better to take life than to spare 
it, a single nod or wink from the captain was sufficient ; 
regardless of age or sex, all entreaties for mercy were then 
made in vain ; they possessed not the tender feelings, to 
be operated upon by the shrieks and expiring groans of tne 
devoted victims! there was a strife among them, who with 
his own hands Could despatch the greatest number, and in 
the shortest period of time. 

Without any other motives than to gratify. their hellish 
propensities, (in their intoxicated moments.) blodd was 
not unfrequently and unnecessarily sh d, and many widows 
and orphans probably made, when the lives of the unlortu 


GIBBS JOINS THE NAVY. 


101 


nate victims might have been spared, and without the most 
distant prospect of any evil consequences, (as regarded 
themselves,) resulting therefrom. 

Gibbs states that sometime in the course of the year 
1819, he left Havanna and came to the United States, 
bringing with him about ^30,000, He passed several 
weeks in the city of New York, and then went to Boston, 
whence he took passage for Liverpool in the ship Emerald. 
Before he sailed, however, he had squandered a large part 
of his money by dissipation and gambling. He remained 
in Liverpool a few months, and then returned to Boston. 
His residence in Liverpool at that time is satisfactorily 
ascertained from another source besides his own confession. 
A female now in New York was well acquainted with him 
there, where, she says, he lived like a gentleman, with 
apparently abundant means of support. In speaking of 
his acquaintance with this female, he says, I fell in with 
a woman, who I thought was all virtue, but she deceived 
nje, and I ajm sorry to say that a heart that never felt 
abashed at scenes of carnage and blood, was made a child 
of for a time by her, and I gave way to dissipation to 
drown the torment. How’ often when the fumes of liquor 
have subsided, have I thought of my good and affectionate 
parents, and of their Godlike advice ! But when the little 
monitor began to move within me, I immediately seized 
I he cup to hide myself from myself,/and drank until the 
sense of intoxication was renewed. My friends advised 
me to behave myself like a man, and promised me their 
assistance, but the demon still haunted me, and I spurned 
their advice.’’ 

In 1826, he revisited the United States, and hearing of 
the war between Brazil and the Republic of Buenos Ayres, 
sailed from Boston in the brig Hitty, of Portsmouth, with 
u determination, as he states, of trying his fortune in 'de- 
fence of a republican government. Upon his arrival he 
made himself known to Admiral Brown, and communica- 
ted his desire to join their navy. The admiral accom- 
panied him to the Governor, and a Lieutenant’s commis- 
sion being given him, he joined a ship of 34 guns, called 
the ‘ Twenty Fifth of May.’ “ Here,” says Gibbs, J 
found Lieutenant Dodge, an old acquaintance, and a num- 
9* 


102 the life of CHARLES GIBBS. 

Der of other persons with whom I had sailed. When the 
Governor gave me the commission; he told me they wanted 
no cowards in their navy, to which I replied that I thought 
he would have no apprehension of my cowardice or skill 
when he became acquainted with me. He thanked me, 
and said he hoped he should not be deceived ; upon w'hich 
we drank to his health and to the success of the Republic. 
He then presented me with a sword, and told me to wear 
that as my companion through the doubtful struggle in 
which the republic was engaged. I told him I never 
would disgrace it, so long as I had a nerve in my arm. I 
remained on board the ship in the capacity of 5th Lieuten- 
ant, for about four months, during which time we had a 
number of skirmishes with the enemy. Having succeeded 
in gaining the confidence of Admiral Brown, he put me in 
command of a privateer schooner, mounting two long 24 
pounders and 46 men. I sailed from Buenos Ayres, made 
two good cruises, and returned safely to port. I then 
bought one half of a new Baltimore schooner, and sailed 
again, but was captured seven days out, and carried into 
Rio Janeiro, where the Brazilians paid me my change. I 
remained there until peace took place, then returned to 
Buenos Ayres, and thence to New York. 

After the lapse of about a year, which I passed in trav- 
elling from place to place, the war between France ana 
Algiers attracted my attention. Knowing that the French 
commerce presented a fine opportunity for plunder, I de- 
termined to embark for Algiers and offer my services to 
the Dey. I accordingly took passage from New York, in 
the Sally Ann, belonging to Bath, landed at Barcelona, 
crossed to Port Mahon,- and endeavored to make my way 
to Algiers. The vigilance of the French fleet prevented 
the accomplishment of my design, and I proceeded to 
Tunis. There finding it unsafe to attempt a journey to 
Algiers across the desert, I amused myself with contempla- 
ting the luins of Carthage, and reviving my recollections 
of her war with the Romans. I afterwards took passage 
to Marseilles, and thence to Boston. 

An instance of the most barbarous and cold blooded 
murder of which the wretched Gibbs gives, an account in 
the course of his confessions, is that of an innocent and 


INHUMAN BARBARITY, 


103 


beautifu. female of about 17 or 18 years of age! she was 
with her parents a passenger on board a Dutch sliip, bound 
from Curracoa to Holland ; there were a number of other 
passengers, male and female, on board, all of whom except 
the young lady above-mentioned were put to death ; her 
unfortunate parents’ were inhumanly butchered before her 
eyes, and she was doomed to witnes^s the agonies and to 
hear the expiring, heart-piercing groans of those whom she 
held most dear, and on whom she depended for protection ! 
The life of their wretched daughter was spared for the 
most nefarious purposes — she was taken oy the pirates to 
the west end of Cuba, where they had a rendezvous, with 
a small fort that mounted four guns — here she was con- 
nned about two months, and where, as has been said by 
the murderer Gibbs, “ she received such treatment, the bare 
recollection of which causes me to shudder 1 ’’ At the 



Gihhs carrying the Dutch Girl on board his Vessel. 


expiration of the two months she was taker, by the pirates 
on board of one of their vessels, and amor, r whor a con- 
sultation was soon after held, which resulte* ’’n tlu lonclu- 


104 


THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS. 


gion that it would be necessary for their own personal 
safety, to put her to death ! and to her a fatal dose of 
poison was accordingly administered, which soon proved 
fatal! when her pure and immortal spirit took its flig'.it to 
that God, w hom, we believe, will avenge her w rongs I hef 
lifeless body was then committed to the deep by two of the 
merciless wretches with as much unconcern, as if it had 
been that of the meanest brute! Gibbs persists in the 
declaration that in this horrid transaction he took no part, 
that such was his pity for this poor ill-fated female, that he 
interceded for her life so long as he could do it witli safety 
to his own ! 

Gibbs in his last visit to Boston remained there but a 
few days, when he took passage to New Orleans, and there 
entered as one of the crew on board tlie brig Vineyard ; 
and for assisting in the murder of the unfortunate captain 
and mate of which, he was justly condemned, and the 
awful sentence of death passed upon him ! The particu- 
lars of the bloody transaction (agreeable to the* testimony 
of Dawes and Brownrigg, the two principal witnesses,) 
are as follows : The brig Vineyard, Capt. William Thornby, 
sailed from New Orleans about the 9th of November, for 
Philadelphia, with a cargo of 112 bales of cotton, 113 
hhds. sugar, 54 casks of molasses and 54,000 dollars in 
specie. Besides the captain there were on board the brig, 
William Roberts, mate, six seamen shipped at New Orleans, 
and the cook. Robert Dawes, one of the crew, states on 
examination, that when, about five days out, he was told 
that there w^as money on board, Charles Gibbs, E. Church 
and the steward then determined to take possession of the 
brig. They asked James Talbot, another of the crew, to 
join them. He said no, as he did not believe there was 
money in the vessel. They concluded to kill the captain 
and mate, and if Talbot and John Browmrigg would not 
join them, to kill them also. The next night they talked 
of doing it, and got their clubs ready. Dawes dared not 
gay a word, as they declared they would kill him if he did ; 
as they did not agree about killing Talbot and Brownrigg, 
two shipmates, it was put off. They next concluded to 
kil’ the captain and mate on the night of November 22, 

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THE CAPTAIN AND MATE MURDERED. 


107 


between twelve and one o’clock, as Dawes was at the 
helm, saw the steward come up with a light and a knifj in 
his hand ; he dropt the light and seizing the pump break, 
struck the captain with it over the head or back of the 
neck ; the captain was sent forward by the blow, and hal- 
loed, oh ! and murder ! once ; he was then seized by 
Gibbs and the cook, one by the head and the other by the 
heels, and thrown overboard. Atwell and Church stood 
at the companion way, to strike down the mate when he 
sliould come up. As he came up and enquired what was 
the matter, they struck him over the head — he ran back 
into the cabin, and Charles Gibbs followed him down ; but 
as it was dark, he could not find him — Gibbs came on 
deck for the light, with which he returned. Dawes’ light 
being taken from him, he could not see to steer, and he in 
consequence left the helm, to see what was going on 
below. Gibbs found the mate and seized him, while At- 
well and Church came down and struck him with a pump 
break and a club ; he was then dragged upon .deck ; they 
called for Dawes to come to them, and- as he came up the 
mate seized his hand, and gave him a death gripe ! three 
of them then hove him overboard, but which three Dawes 
does not know ; the mate when cast overboard was not 
dead, but called after them twice while in the water ! 
Dawes says he was so frightened that he hardly knew what 
to do. They then requested him to call Talbot, who was 
in the forecastle, saying his prayers ; he came up and said 
it would be his turn next! but they gave him some giog, 
and told him not to be afraid, as they would not hurt him ; 
if he was true to them, he should fare as well as they did. 
One of those who had been engaged in the bloody deed 
got drunk, and another became crazy ! 

After killing the captain and mate, they set about over- 
hauling the vessel, and got up one keg of Mexican dollars 
They then divided the captain’s clothes, and money — 
about 40 dollars, and a gold watch. Dawes, Talbot and 
Brownrigg, (who w'ere all innocent of the murder,) were 
obliged to do as they were commanded — the former, w’ho 
was placed at the helm, was ordered to steer for Long 
Island. On the day following, they divided several kegs 
of the specie, amounting to five thousand dollars each— 


108 


THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS. 


they made bags and sewed the money up. After this 
division, they divided the remainder of the money without 
counting it. On Sunday, when about 15 miles S. S. E. 
of Southampton Idght, they got the boats out and put half 
the money in each — they then scuttled the vessel and set 
fire to it in the cabin, and took to the boats. Gibbs, after 
the murder, took charge of the vessel as captain. From 
the papers they learnt that the money belonge d to Stepher. 
Girard. With the boats they made the land abdut day 
light. Dawes and his three companions were in the long 



Gibbs and IVansley burying the Money. 


boat; the others, with Atwell, were in the jolly boat — on 
coming to the bar the boats struck — in the long boat, they 
threw overboard a trunk of clothes and a great deal of 
money, in all about .5000 dollars — the jolly boat foundered ; 
they saw the boat fill, and heard them cry out, and saw 
them clinging to the masts — they went ashore on Barron 
Island, and buried the money in the sand, but very lightly. 
Soon after they met with a gunner, whom they requestec^ 


THE TRIAL OF GIBBS AND WANSLEY. lOV^ 

to conduct them where they could get some refreshments. 
They were by him conducted to Johnson’s (the only man 
living on the island,) where they staid all night — Dawes 
went to bed at about 10 o’clock — Jack Brownrigg set up 
with Johnson, and in the morning told Dawes that he had 
told Johnson all about the murder. Johnson went in the 
morning with the steward for the clothes, which were left 
on the top of the place where they buried the money, but 
does not believe they took away the money. 

The prisoners, (Gibbs and Wansley,) were brought to 
trial at the February term of the United States Court, 
holden in the city of New York ; when the foregoing facts 
being satisfactorily proved, they were pronounced guilty, 
and on the 11th March last, the awful sentence of the 
law was passed upon them in the following affecting and 
impressive manner: — The Court opened at 11 o’clock, 
Judge Betts presiding. A few minutes after that hour, 
Mr. Hamilton, District Attorney, rose and said — May it 
please the Court, Thomas J. Wansley, the prisoner at the 
bar, having been tried by a jury of his country, and found 
guilty of the murder of captain Thornby, I now move that 
the sentence of the Court be pronounced upon that ver- 
dict. 

By the Court. Thomas J. Wansley, you have heard 
what has been said by the District Attorney — by the Grand 
Jury of the South District of New York, you have been 
arraigned for the wilful murder of captain Thornby, of the 
brig Vineyard ; you have been put upon your trial, and 
after a patient and impartial hearing, you have been found 
Guilty. The public prosecutor now moves for judgmen 
on that verdict ; have you any thing to say, why the sen- 
tence of the law should not be passed upon you ? 

Thomas J. Wansley. I wall say a few words, but it is 
perhaps of no use. I have often understood that there is 
a great deal of difference in respect of color, and I nav 
seen it in this Court. Dawes and Brownrigg were as 
guilty as I am, and these witnesses have tried to fasten 
uj)on me greater guilt than is just, for their life has been 
given to them. You have taken the blacks from their own 
country, to bring them here to treat them ill. I have seen 
this. The vvitnesses, the jury, affd the prosecuting Attor 
10 


110 THE LIFE or CHARLES GIRB9. 

ney consider me more guilty than Dawes, to condemn 
me — for otherwise the law must have punished him ; he 
should have had the same verdict, for he was a perpetra- 
tor in the conspiracy. Notwithstanding my participating, 
they have sworn falsely for the purpose of taking my lil^e ; 
they would not even inform the Court, how I gave infor 
mation of money being on board ; they had the biggest 
part of the money, and have sworn falsely. I have said 
enough. I will say no more. 

By the Court. The Court will wait patiently and hoar 
all you have to say ; if you have any thing further to add, 
proceed. 

Wansley then proceeded. In the first place, I was the 
first to ship n board the Vineyard at New Orleans, I 
knew nobody; I saw the money come on board. The 
judge that first examined me, did not take my deposition 
down correctly. When talking with the crew on board, 
said the brig was an old craft, and when we arrived at 
Philadelphia, we all agreed to leave her. It was men- 
tioned to me that there was plenty of money on board. 
Henry Atwell said ‘Met’s hav.3 it.” I knew no more of 
this for some days. Atwell came to me again and asked 
“ what think you of taking the money.” I thought it w^as 
a joke, and paid no attention to it. The next day he sai<l 
they had determined to take the brig and money, and that 
they were the strongest party, and would murder the offi- 
cers, and he that informed should suffer with them I 
knew Church in Boston, and in a joke asked him how it 
was made up in the ship’s company ; his reply, that it waj 
he and Dawes. There was no arms on board as was 
ascertained ; the conspiracy was known to the whole com- 
pany, and had I informed, my life would have been taken, 
and though 1 knew if I was found out my life would be 
taken by law, which is the same thing, so I did not inform. 
I have committed murder and I know I must die for it. 

By the Court. If you wish to add any thing further you 
will still be heard. 

IVnnsley. No sir, I believe I have said enough. 

The District Attorney rose and moved for judgment on 
Gibbs, in the same manner as in the case of Wansley, and 
the Court having addressed Gibbs, in similar terms, con 


GIBBS* REPLY TO THE COURT. 


Ill 


eluded by asking what he had to say why the sentence of 
the law should not now be passed upon him. 

Charles Gibbs said, I wish to state to the Court, how far 
I am guilty and how far I am innocent in this transaction. 
When I left New Orleans, I was a stranger to all on board, 
except Dawes and Church^ It was off Tortugas that At- 
well first told me there was money on board, and proposed 
to me to take possession of the brig. I refused at tliat 
time. The conspiracy was talked of for some days, and at 
last I agreed that I would join. Brounrigg, Dawes, 
Church, and the whole agreed that they would^ A lew 
days after, however, having thought of the affair, I men- 
tioned to Atwell, what a dreadful thing it was to take a 
man’s life, and commit piracy, and recommended him to 
‘abolish,” their plan. Atwell ancj Dawes remonstrated 
with me; I told Atwell that if ever he would speak of the 
subject again, I would break his nose. Had I kept to my 
resolution I would not have been brought here to receive 
my sentence. It was three days afterwards that the mur- 
der was committed. Brownrigg agreed to call up the cap- 
tain from the cabin, and this man, (pointing to Wansley,) 
agreed to strike the first blow. The captain was struck 
and I suppose killed; and I lent a hand to throw him over- 
board. But for the murder of the mate, of which I have 
been found guilty, I am innocent — I had nothing to do 
with that. The mate was murdered by Dawes and Church ; 
that I am innocent of this I commit my soul to that God 
who will judge all flesh — who will judge all murderers and 
false swearers, and the wicked who deprive the innocent 
of his right. I have nothing more to say. 

By the Court. Thomas J. Wansley and Charles Gibbs, 
the Court has listened to you patiently and attentively ; 
and although you have said something in your own behalf, 
yet the Court has heard nothing to affect the deepest and 
most painful duty that he who presides over a public tribu- 
nal has to perform. 

You, Thomas J. Wansley, conceive that a different 
measure of justice has been meted out to you, because of 
your color. Look back upon your whole course of life ; 
think of the laws under which you have lived, and you w'ill 
find that to white or black, to free or bon'd, there is no 


112 


THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS. 


ground for your allegations ; that they are not supported 
by truth or justice. Admit that Brovvnrigg and Dawes 
have sworn falsely ; admit that Dawes was concerned with 
you ; admit that Drownrigg is not innocent ; admit, in re- 
lation to both, that they are guilty, tlie^wliole evidence has 
proved beyond a doubt that you are guilty ; and your own 
wonis admit that you were an active agent in perpetrating 
this horrid crime. Two fellow beings who confided in 
you, and in their perilous voyage called in your assistance, 
yet you. without reason or provocation, have maliciously 
taken their lives. 

If, peradventure, there was the slightest foundation for a 
doubt of your guilt, in the mind ol the Court, judgment 
would be arrested, but there is none ; and it now remains 
to the Court to pronounce the most painful duty that de- 
volves upon a civil magistrate. The Court is persuaded of 
your guilt ; it can form no other opinion. Testimony has 
been heard before the Court and Jury — from that we 
must form our opinion. We must proceed upon testimo- 
ny, ascertain facts by evidence of witnesses, on which we 
must inquire, judge and determine as to guilt or innocence, 
by that evidence alone. You have been found guilty 
You now stand for the last time before an earthly tri- 
bunal, and by your own acknowledgments, the sentence 
of the law falls justly on your lieads. When men in ordi- 
nary cases come under the penalty of the law there is gen- 
erally some palliative — something to warm the sympathy 
of the Court and Jury. Men may be led astray, and under 
the influence of passion have acted under some long 
smothered resentment, suddenly awakened by the force of 
circumstances, depriving him of reason, and then they may 
take the life of a fellow being. Killing, under that kind 
of excitement, might possibly awaken some sympathy, but 
that was not your case ; you had no provocation. What 
offence had Thornby or Roberts committed against you ? 
They entrusted themselves with you, as able and trust- 
worthy citizens ; confiding im{)licitly in you; no one act 
of theirs, after a full examination, appears to have been 
offensive to you ; yet fur the purpose of securing the money 
you coolly determined ♦o take their lives — you slept and 
deliberated over the act ; you were tempted on, and yielded ; 


SENTENCE OF DEATH. 


113 


jrou entered into the conspiracy, with cool and determined 
calculation to deprive two human beings of their lives, and 
it was done. 

You, Charles Gibbs, have said that you are not guilty of 
the murder of Roberts ; but were you not there, strongly 
instigating the murderers on, and without stretching out a 
hand to save him ? — It is murder as much to stand by and 
encourage the deed, as to stab with a knife, strike with a 
hatchet, or shoot with a pistol. It is not only murder in 
law, but in your own feelings and in your own conscience. 
Notwithstanding all this, I cannot believe "that your feel- 
ings are so callous, so wholly callous, that your own minds 
do not melt when you look back upon the unprovoked 
deeds of yourselves, and those confederated with you. 

You are American citizens — this country affords means 
of instruction to all : your appearance and your remarks 
have added evidence that you are more than ordinarily in- 
telligent ; that your education has enabled you to partici- 
pate in the advantages of information open to all classes. 
The Court will believe that when you w^re young you 
looked with s.trong aversion on the course of life of the 
wicked. In early life, in boyhood, when you heard of the 
conduct of men, who engaged in robbery — nay more, 
when you heard of cold blooded murder — how you must 
have shrunk from the recital. Yet now, after having par- 
ticipated in the advantages of education, after having ar- 
rived at full maturity, you stand here as robbers and mur- 
derers. 

It is a perilous employment of life that you have follow- 
ed ; in this way of life the most enormous crimes that man 
can commit, are murder and piracy. With what detesta- 
tion would you in early life have looked upon the man who 
would have raised his hand against his officer, or have 
committed piracy ! yet now you both stand here murder- 
ers and pirates, tried and found guilty — you Wansley of 
the murder of your Captain, and you, Gibbs, of the mur- 
der of your Mate. The evidence has convicted you of ri- 
sing in mutiny against the master of tlu' vessel, for that 
alone, the law is death ! — of murder and robbery on the 
high seas, for that crime, the law adjudges death — of 
destroying the vessel and embezzling the cargo, even for 


114 


THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS. 


gcultling and burning the vessel alone, the law is death ; 
yet of all these the evidence has convicted you, and it only 
remains now for the Court to pass the sentence of the law. 
It is, that you, Thomas J. Wansley and Charles Gibbs be 
taken hence to the place of confinement, there to remain 
in close custody, that thence you be taken to the place of 
execution, and on the 22d April next, between the hours 
of 10 and 4 o’clock, you be both publicly hanged by the 
neck until you are dead — and that your bodies be given to 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons for dissection. 

The Court added, that the only thing discretionary with 
it, was the time of execution ; it might have ordered that 
you should instantly have been taken from the stand to the 
scaffold, but the sentence has been deferred to as distant a 
period as prudent — six^weeks. But this time has not been 
granted for the purpose of giving you any hope for pardon 
or commutation of the sentence ; — just as sure as you live 
till the twenty-second of April, as surely you will suffer 
death — therefore indulge not a hope that this sentence will 
be changed ! 

The Court then spoke of the terror in all men of death ! 
— how they cling to life whether in youth, manhood or old 
age. What an awful thing it is to die ! how in the perils 
of the sea, when rocks or storms threaten the loss of the 
vessel, and the lives of all on board, how the crew will la- 
bor, night and day, in the hope of escaping shipwreck and 
death ! alluded to the tumult, bustle and confusion of bat- 
tle — yet even there the hero clings to life. The Court ad- 
verted not only to the certainty of their coming doom on 
earth, but to think of hereafter — that they should se- 
riously think and reflect of their future state ! that they 
would be assisted in their devotions no doubt, by many 
pious men. 

When the Court closed, Charles Gibbs asked, if during 
his imprisonment, his friends would be permitted to see 
him. The Court answered that that lay with the Marshal, 
who then said that no difficulty would exist on that score. 
The remarks of the Prisoners were delivered in a strong, 
full-toned and unwavering voice, and they both seemed per- 
fectly resigned to the fate which inevitably awaited them. 
While Judge Betts was delivering his address to them, 


GIBBS LETTER. 


115 


Wansley was deeply affected, and shed tears — but Gibbs 
gazed with a steady and unwavering eye, and no sign be- 
trayed the least emotion of his heart. After his condem- 
nation, and during his confinement, his frame became 
somewhat enfeebled, his face paler, and his eyes more 
sunken ; but the air of his bold, enterprising and desperate 
mind still remained. In his narrow cell, he seemed more 
like an object of pity than vengeance — was affable and 
communicative, and when he smiled, exhibited so mild and 
gentle a countenance, that no one would take him to be a 
villain. His conversation was concise and pertinent, and 
his style of illustration quite original. 

Gibbs was married in Buenos Ayres, where he has a 
child now living. His wife is dead. By a singular con- 
currence of circumstances, the woman with whom he be- 
came acquainted in Liverpool, and who is said at that time 
to have borne a decent character, was lodged in the same 
prison with himself. During his confinement he wrote her 
two letters — one of them is subjoined, to gratify the per- 
haps innocent curiosity which is naturally felt to know the 
peculiarities of a man’s mind and feelings under such cir- 
cumstances, and not for the purpose of intimating a belief 
that he was truly penitent. The reader will be surprised 
with the apparent readiness with which he made quota- 
tions from Scripture. 

‘‘ Bellevue Prison, March 20, 1831. 

“ It is with regret that I take my pen in hand to address 
you with these few lines, u«nder the great embarrassment 
of my feelings placed within these gloomy walls, my body 
bound with chains, and under the awful sentence of death ! 
It is enough to throw the strongest mind into gloomy pros- 
pects! but I find that Jesus Christ is sufficient to give con- 
solation to the most despairing soul. For he saith, that he 
that comelh to me I will in no ways cast out. But it is 
impossible to describe unto you the horror of my feelings. 
My breast is like the tempestuous ocean, raging in its own 
shame, harrowing up the bottom of my soul 1 But I look 
forward to that serene calm when I shall sleep with Kings 
and Counsellors of the earth. There the wicked cea.e 
from troubling, and there the weary are at rest ! — The ^ 


116 


THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS. 


the prisoners rest together — they hear not the voice of the 
oppressor ; and I trust that there iny breast will not be 
ruffled by the storm of sin — for the thing which I greatly 
feared has come upon me. I was not in safety, neither 
had I rest; yet trouble came. It is the Lord, let him do 
what seemeth to him good. When I saw you in Liverpool, 
and a peaceful calm wafted across both our breasts, and 
justice no claim upon us, little did 1 think to meet you in 
the gloomy walls of a strong prison, and the arm of justice 
stretched out with the sword of the law, awaiting the ap- 
pointed period to execute the dreadful sentence. I have 
had' a fair prcrspect in the world, at last it budded, and 
brought forth the gallows. I am shortly to mount that 
scaffold, and to bid adieu to this world, and all that vvas 
ever dear to my breast. But I trust when my body isi 
mounted on the gallows high, the heavens above will smile 
and pity me. I hope that you will reflect on your past, 
and fly to that Jesus who stands with open arms to receive 
you. Your character is lost, it is true. When the wicked 
turneth from the wickedness that they have committed, 
they shall save their soul alive. 

“ Let us imagine for a moment that we see the souls 
standing before the awful tribunal, and we hear its dread- 
ful sentence, depart ye cursed into everlasting fire. Imag- 
ine you hear the awful lamentations of a soul in hell. It 
would be enough to melt your heart, if it w'as as hard as 
adamant. You would fall upon your knees and plead for 
God’s mercy, as a famished person would for food, or as a 
dying criminal would for a pardon. We soon, very soon, 
must go the way whence we shall ne’er return. Our names 
will be struck off the records of the living, and enrolled in 
the vast catalogues of the dead. But may it ne’er be num- 
bered with the damned. — I hope it will please God to set 
you at your liberty, and that you may see the sins and fol- 
lies of your life past. I shall now close my letter with a 
few words which I hope you w'ill receive as from a dying 
man ; and I hope that every important truth of this letter 
may sink deep in your heart, and be a lesson to vou 
through life. 

Rising griefs distress my soul. 

And tears on tears successive roll — 


GIBBS’ SPEECH UNDER THE GALLOWS. 


1 1 : 


For many an evil voice is near, 

To chide my woes and mock my fear- 
And silent memory weeps alone, 

O’er hours of peace and gladness known. 

1 still remain your sincere ieud, 

CHARLFS GIBBS. 

In another letter which the wretched Gibbs wrote after 
his condemnation to one who had been his early friend, he 
writes as follows : — ‘‘ Alas ! it is now, and not until now, 
that I have become sensible of my wicked life, from my 
childhood, and the enormity of the crime, for which I must 
shortly suffer an ignominious death ! — I would to God 
that I never had been born, or that I had died in my infan- 
cy ! — the hour of reflection has indeed come, but come too 
late to prevent justice from cutting me off — iny mind re- 
coils with horror at the thoughts of the unnatural deeds of 
which I have been guilty ! — my repose rather prevents than 
affords me relief, as my mind, while I slumber, is constant- 
ly disturbed by frightful dreams of my approaching awful 
dissolution ! ” 

On Friday, April twenty-second, Gibbs and Wansley 
paid the penalty of their crimes. Both prisoners arrived 
at the gallows about twelve o’clock, accompanied by the 
marshal, his aids, and some twenty or thirty United States’ 
marines. Two clergymen attended them to the fatal spot, 
where everything being in readiness, and the ropes adjust- 
ed about their necks, the Throne of Mercy was fervently 
addressed in their behalf. Wansley then prayed earnestly 
himself, and afterwards joined in singing a hymn. These 
exercises concluded, Gibbs addressed the spectators near 
ly as follows : 

MT DEAR FRIENDS, 

My crimes have been heinous — and although I am now 
about to suffer for the murder of Mr. Roberts, I solemn!) 
declare my innocence of the transaction. It is true, I stood 
by and saw the fatal deed done, and stretched not forth my 
arm to save him ; the technicalities of the law believe me 
guilty of the charge but in the presence of my God — 


118 


THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS. 


before whom I shall be in a few minutes — I declare I did 
not murder him. 

I have made a full and frank confession to Mr. Hopson, 
which probably most of my hearers present have already 
read^ and should any of the friends of those whom I have 
been accessary to, or engaged in the murder of, be now 
present, before my Maker I beg their forgiveness — it is the 
only boon I ask— and as I hope for pardon through the 
blood of Christ, surely this request will not be withheld by 
man, to a worm like myself, standing as I do, on the very 
verge of eternity ! Another moment, and I cease to exist 
— and could I find in my bosom room to imagine that the 
spectators now assembled had forgiven me, the scaflfold 
would have.no terrors, nor could the precept which my 
much respected friend, the marshal of the district, is about 
to execute. Let me then, in this public manner, return my 
sincere thanks to him, for his kind and gentlemanly deport- 
ment during my confinement. He was to me like a father, 
and his humanity to a dying man I hope will be duly ap- 
nreciated by an enlightened community. 

My first orime was piracy y for which my life would pay 
the forfeit on conviction ; no punishment could be inflicted 
on me further than that, and therefore I had nothing to fear 
but detection, for had my ofTences been millions of times 
more aggravated than they now are, death must have satis- 
fied all. 

Gibbs having concluded, Wansley began. He said he 
might be called a pirate, a robber, and a murderer, and he 
was all of these, but he hoped and trusted God would, 
through Christ, wash away his aggravated crimes and offen- 
ces, and not cast him entirely out. His feelings, he said^ 
were so overpowered that he hardly knew how to address 
those about him, but he frankly admitted the justness of 
the sentence, and concluded by declaring that he had no 
hope of pardon except through the atoning blood of his 
Redeemer, and wished that his sad fate might teach others 
to shun the broad road to ruin, and travel in that of virtue, 
W'hich w'ould lead to honor and happiness in this world, and 
an immortal crown of glory in that to come. 

He then shook hands with Gibbs, the officers, and cler 
gymen — their caps were drawn over their faces, a handkei 


THE EXECUTION OF GIBBS AND WANSLET. 


119 


chief dropped by Gibbs as a signal to the executioner, 
caused the cord to be severed, and in an instant they were 
suspended in air. Wansley folded his hands before him, 
before he was run up, and did not again remove them, but 
soon died with very trifling struggles. Gibbs died hard ; 
after being near two minutes suspended, he raised his right 
hand and partially removed his cap, and in the course of 
another minute, raised the same hand to his moi ih. His 
dress was a blue round-about jacket and trousers, with a 
foul anchor in white on his right arm. Wansley wore a 
white frock coat, trimmed with black, with trousers of the 
same color. 

After the bodies had remained on the gallows the usual 
time, they were taken down and given to the surgeons for 
dissection. 

Gibbs was rather below the middle stature, thick set and 
powerful. The form of Wansley was ! nerfect model 
manly beanty. 


HlSTOlil OF THE ADVENTURES CAPTURE AND EXECUTION 


OF 


THE SPANISH PIRATES. 



The Pirates concealed in the Woods behind Cape Lopez. 


In the Autumn of 1832, there was anchored in the Man 
of War Grounds,” off the Havana, a clipper-built vessel 
of the fairest proportions ; she had great length and breadth 
of beam, furnishing stability to bear a large surface of sail, 
and great depth to take hold of the water and prevent 
drifting ; long, low in the waist, with lofty raking masts, 
which tapered away till they were almost too fine to be 
distinguished, the beautiful arrowy sharpness of her bow, 


A DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOONER PANDA. 


121 


rnd the fineness of her gradually receding quarters, showed 
a model capable of the greatest speed in sailing. Her low 
sides were painted black, with one small, narrow ribband of 
white. Her raking masts were clean scraped, her ropes 
were hauled taught, and in every point she wore the ap- 
pearance of being under the control of seamanship and 
strict discipline. Upon going on board, one w^ould be struck 
Vith surprise at the deception relative to the tonnage of 
the schooner, when viewed at a distance. Instead of a 
•mall vessel of about ninety tons, we discover that she is 
upwards of two hundred ; that her breadth of beam is 
enormous ; and that those spars which appeared so light 
and elegant, are of unexpected dimensions. In the centre 
of the vessel, between the fore and main masts, there is a 
long brass thirty-two pounder, fixed upon a carriage revol- 
ving in a circle, and so arranged that in bad weather it can 
be lowered down and housed ; while on each side of the 
deck w'ere mounted guns of smaller calibre. 

This vessel was fashioned, at the will of avarice, for the 
aid of cruelty and injustice ; it was an African slaver — the 
schooner Panda. She was commanded by Don Pedro 
Gibert, a native of Catalonia, in Spain, and son of a gran- 
dee ; a man thirty-six years of age, and exceeding hand- 
some, having a round face, pearly teeth, round forehead, 
and full black eyes, with beautiful raven hair, and a great 
favorite with the ladies. He united great energy, coolness 
and decision, with superior knowledge in mercantile trans- 
actions, and the Guinea trade ; having made several voyages 
after slaves. The mate and owner of the Panda was Don 
Bernardo De Soto, a native of Corunna, Spain, and son of 
Isidore De Soto, Manager of the royal revenue in said city ; 
he was now twenty-five years of age, and from the time he 
was fourteen had cultivated the art of navigation, and at 
the age of twenty-two had obtained the degree of captain 
in the India servir 3. After a regular examination the cor- 
respondent diploMa wms awarded him. He was married to 
Donna Petrona l^ereyra, daughter of Don Benito Pereyra, 
a merchant of Corunna. She was at this time just fifteen, 
and ripening into that slight fullness of form, and roundness 
of limb, which in that climate mark the early passing from 
girl into woman. Her complexion was the dark olive tinge 
11 I 


122 THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 

of Spain ; her eyes jet black, large and lustrous. She had 
•great sweetness of disposition and ingenuousness. 

To the strictest discipline De Soto united the practical 
knowledge of a thorough seaman. But ‘‘ the ulster spirit 
of the whole,” was Francisco Ruiz, the carpenter of the 
Panda. This individual was of the middle size, but mus- 
cular, wdth a short neck. His hair was black and abundant,, 
and projected from his forehead, so that he appeared to look 
out from under it, like a bonnet. His eyes were dark 
(diesnut, but always restless ; his features were well defined ; 
his eye-lashes, jet black. - He was familiar with all the out- 
of-the-way places of the Havana, and entered into any of 
the d'cirk abodes without ceremony. From report his had 
been a wild and lawless career. The crew were chiefly 
Spaniards, with a few Portuguese, South Americans, and 
half castes. The cook was a young Guinea negro, with a 
pleasant countenance, and good humored, with a sleek 
glossy skin, and tatooed on the face ; and although entered 
in the schooner’s books as free, yet was a slave. In all 
there were about forty men. Her cargo was an assorted 
one, consisting in part of barrels of rum, and gunpowder, 
muskets, cloth, and numerous articles, with which to pur- 
chase slaves. 

The Panda sailed from tlie Havana on the night of the 
20th of August ; and upon passing the Moro Castle, she 
was hailed, and asked, “ where bound ? ” She replied, St. 
Thomas. The schooner now steered through the Bahama 
channel, on the usual route towards the coast of Guinea ; 
a man was constantly kept at the mast head, on the look- 
out ; they spoke a corvette, and on the morning of the 20th 
Sept., before light, and during the second mate’s watch, a 
brig was discovered heading to the southward. Capt. Gi- 
bert was asleep at the time, but got up shortly after she was 
seen, and ordered the Panda to go abou^ and stand for the 
brig. A consultation was held between the captain, mate 
and carpenter, when the latter proposed o board her, and 
if she had any specie to rob her, confine the men below, 
and burn her. This proposition was instantly acceded to, 
and a musket was fired to make her heave to. 

This vessel was the American brig Mexican, Capt. But- 
man. She had left the pleasant harbor of Salem, Mass., 


THE PIRATES BOARD THE BKIG. 


123 


on the last Wednesday of August, and was quietly pursu- 
ing her voyage towards Rio Janeiro. Nothing remarkable' 
had happened on board, says Captain B., until half past 
two o’clock, in the morning of September 20th, in hit. 38, 0, 
N., Ion. 24, 30, W. The attention of the watch on deck 
was forcibly arrested by the appearance of a vessel which 
passed across our stern about half a mile from us. At 4 
A. ]\I. saw her again passing across our bow, so near that 
we could perceive that it was a schooner with a fore top 
sail and top gallant sail. As it was somewhat dark she was 
soon out of sight. At daylight saw her about five miles 
off the w^eather quarter, standing on the wind on the same 
tack we were on, the wind was light at S. S. W. and we 
W'ere standing about S. E. At 8 A. M. she was about two 
miles right to w indward of us ; could perceive a large 
number of men upon her deck, and one man on the fore 
'top gallant yard looking out ; was very suspicious of her, 
but know not how to avoid her. Soon after saw a brig on 
our weatlier bow steering to the N. E. By this time the 
schooner was about three miles from us and four points 
forward of the beam. Expecting that she would keep on 
for the brig ahead of us, we tacked to the westward, keep- 
ing a little off from the wind to make good way through 
the water, to get clear of her if possible. She kept on to 
the eastward about ten or fifteen minutes after we had 
tacked, then wore round, set square sail, steering directly 
for us, came down upon us very fast, and was soon wathin 
gun shot of us, fired a gun and hoisted patriot colors and 
backed main topsail. He ran along to windward of us, 
hailed us to know where we were from, where bound, &c 
then ordered me to come on board in my boat. Seeing 
that he was too powerful for us to resist, I accordingly went, 
and soon as I got along-side of the schooner, five ruffians 
instantly jumped into my boat, each of them being armed 
with a large knife, and told me to go on board the brig 
again ; when they got on board they insisted that we had 
got money, and drew their knives, threatening us with in- 
stant death and demanding to know where it was. As soon 
as they found out where it was they obliged my crew to 
get it up out of the run upon deck, beating and threatening 
Iliem at the same time because they did not do it quieki^fi. 


124 THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 

Wi>en they had got it all upon deck, and hailed the schoon- 
er, they got out their launch and came and took it on board 
the schooner, viz : ten boxes containing t\venty tliousaiid 
dollars; then returned to the brig again, drove all the crew 
into the forecastle, ransacked the cabin, overhauling all the 
chests, trunks, &.c. and rifled my pockets, taking my \>atcli, 
and three doubloons which 1 had previously put there for 
safety ; robbed the mate of his watch and two hundred 
dollars in specie, still insistiiig that there was more money 
in the hold. Being answered in the negative, they beat me 
severely overlhe back, said they knew that there was more, 
that they should search for it, and if they found any they 
would cut all our throats. They continued searching about 
in every part of the vessel for some time longer, but not 
finding any more specie, they took two coils of rigging, a 
side of leather, and some other articles, and went on board 
the schooner, probably to consult what to do witli us ; for, 
in eight or ten minutes they came back, apparently in 
great haste, shut us all below, fastened up the companion 
way, fore-scuttle and after hatch-way, stove our compasses 
to pieces in tlie binnacles, cut away tiller-ropes, halliards, 
braces, and most of our running rigging, cut our sails to 
pieces badly; took a tub of tarred rope-yarn and what 
combustibles they could find about deck, put them in the 
camboose house and set them on fire ; then left us, taking 
with them our boat and colors. When they got alongside 
of the schooner they scuttled our boat, took in their own, 
and made sail, steering to the eastward. 

As soon as they left us, we got up out of the cabin scut- 
tle, which they had neglected to secure, and extinguished 
the fire, which if it had been left a few minutes, would 
have caught the mainsail and set our masts on fire. Soon 
after we saw a ship to leeward of us steering to the S. E. 
the schooner being in pursuit of her did not overtake her 
whilst she was in sight of us. 

It was doubtless their intention to burn us up altogether, 
but seeing the ship, and being eager foj- more plunder they 
did not stop fully to accomplish their design. She was a 
low strait schooner of about one hundred and fifty tons, 
}minted black with a narrow white streak, a large head 
Aiili the horn of plenty painted white, large maintopmast 


THE PIRATES MAKE THEIR ESCAPE. 


125 


but no yards or sail on it. Mast raked very much, main- 
sail very square at the head, sails made with split cloth and 
ill new ; had two long brass twelve pounders and a large 
gun on a pivot amidships, and about seventy men, who 
appeared to be clnefly Spaniards and mulattoes. 

The object of the voyage being frustrated by the loss of 
the specie, nothing now remained but for the Mexican to 
make the best of her way back to Salem, which she reached 
in safety. 1’he government of the sUni'ted States struck 
with the audacity of this piracy, despatched a cruiser in 
pursuit of them. After a fruitless voyage in which every 
exertion was made, and many places visited on the coast 
of Africa, where it was supposed the rascals might be lurk- 
ing, the chase w'as abandoned as hopeless, no clue being 
found to their “ whereabouts.” 

The Panda after robbing the Mexican, pursued her course 
across the Atlantic, and made Cape Monte, from this she 
coasted south, and after passing Cape Palmas entered the 
Gulf of Guinea, and steered for Cape Lopez which she 
reached in the first part of November. Cape Lopez de 
Gonzalves, in lat. 0"^ 36^ south, long. 8^’ 40' A/' east, is 
so called from its first discoverer. It is covered with wood 
but low and swampy, as is also the neighboring country. 
The extensive bay formed by this cape is fourteen miles 
in depth, and has several small creeks and rivers running 
into it. The largest is the river Nazaretli on tlie left point 
of which is situated King Gula’s town the only assemblage 
of huts in the -bay. Here the cargo of the Panda was 
unloaded, the greater part was entrusted to the king, and 
with the rest Capt. Gibert opened a factory and com- 
menced buying various articles of commerce, as tortoise 
shell, gum, ivory, palm oil, fine straw carpeting, and slaves. 
x\fter remaining here a short time the crew became sickly 
and Capt. Gibert sailed for Prince’s Island to recover the 
health of jiis crew. Whilst at Prince’s Island news arrived 
of the robbery of the Mexican. And the pirate left with 
the utmost precipitation for Cape Lopez, and the better to 
evade pursuit, a pilot was procured ; and the vessel carried 
several miles up the rive Nazareth. Soon after the Panda 
left Prince’s Island, the ftntish brig of war, Curlew, Capt. 
Trotter arrived, and from the description given of the ves- 
11 * 


.26 THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 

Bel then said to be lying in the Nazareth, Capt. Tiottei 
knew she must be the one, that robbed the Mexican ; and 
he instantly sailed in pursuit. On nearing the coast, she 
was discovered lying up the river ; three boats containing 
forty men and commanded by Capt. Trotter, started up 
the river with the sea breeze and flood tide, and colors 
flying to take the desperadoes; the boats kept in near' the 
shore until rounding a point they weie seen from the 
Panda. The piraUs immediately took to their boats, 
except Francisco Ru z who seizing a fire brand from the 
camboose went into the magazine and set some combusti- 
bles on fire with the laudable purpose of blowing up the 
assailants, and then paddled ashore in a canoe. Capt. 
Trotter cliased them with his boats, but could not come 
up with them, and then boarded the schooner which he 
found on fire. The first thing he did was to put out the 
fire which was in the magazine, below the cabin floor ; here 
was found a quantity of cotton and brimstone burning and 
a slow match ignited and communicating with the maga- 
zine, which contained sixteen casks of powder. 

The Panda was now warped out of the river, and an- 
chored oft’ the negr/) town of Cape Lopez. Negociations 
were now entered into, for the surrender of tiie pirates. 
An officer was accordingly sent on shore to have an inter- 
view with the king. He was met on the beach by an 
ebony chief, calling himself duke. “We followed the 
duke through the extensive and straggling place, frequently 
buried up to the ankles in sand, from which the vegetation 
was worn by the constant passing and ^epassing of the 
inhabitants. We arrived at a large folding door placed in 
a high bamboo and palm tree fence, which inclosed the 
king’s establishment, ornamented on our right by two old 
tioney combed guns, which, although dismounted, were 
probably, according to the practice of the coast, occasion- 
illy fired to attract the attention of passing vessels, and to 
^mt)ly that slaves were to be procured. On the left of the 
enclosure was a shed, witli a large ship’s bell suspended 
oeneath, serving as an alarum bell in case of danger, while 
the remainder was occupied with icatly built huts, inhabi- 
ed by the numerous wives of the king. 

“ We sent in to notify him of our arrival, he sent word 


THEY DIVIDE THE MONEY. 


127 


out that we might remain outside until it suited his conve- 
nience. But as such an arrangement did not suit ours, we 
immediately entered, and found sitting at a table the king. 
He was a tall, muscular, ugly looking negro, about fifty 
years of age. We explained the object of our visit, which 
was to demand the surrender of the white men, who were 
now concealed in the town, and for permission to pass up 
the river in pursuit of those who had gone up that way. 
He now expressed the most violent indignation at our pre- 
sumption in demanding the pirates, and the interview was 
broken off by his refusing to deliver up a single man.-* 

We will now return to the pirates. While at Prince’s 
Island, Capt. Gibert bought a magnificent dressing case 
worth nearly a thousand dollars and a patent lever watch, 
and a quantity of tobacco, and provisions, and two valua- 
ble cloth coats, some Guinea clofh and black and green 
paint. The paint, cloth and coats were intended as pres- 
ents foi the African king at Cape Lopez. These articles 
were all bought with the money taken from the Mexican. 
After arriving at the Nazareth, $4000 were taken from 
the trunk, and buried in the yard of a negro prince. Four 
of the pirates then went to Cape Lopez for $11,000, 
which had been buried there. Boyga, Castillo, Guzman, 
and the “ State’s Evidence,” Ferez, were the ones who 
went. Ferez took the bags out, and the others counted 
the money ; great haste was made as the musquitoes were 
biting intolerably. $5000 were buried for the captain in 
canvass bags about two feet deep, part of the money was 
carried to Nazareth, and from there carried into the moun- 
tains and there buried. A consultation was held by Capt. 
Gibert, De Soto, and Ruiz, and the latter said, if the money 
was not divided, there would be the devil to pay.” The 
money was now divided in a dark room and a lanthern 
used ; Capt. Gibert sat on the floor with the money at his 
side. He gave the mate about $3000, and the other offi- 
cers $1000, each; and the crew from $300 to $500, 
each. The third mate having fled, the captain sent him 
$1000, and Ruiz carried it to him. When the money was 
first taken from the Mexican, it was spread out on the 
companion way and examined to see if there was no gold 
amongst it ; and then put into bags made of dork coarse 


1 28 THE HISTOTIY OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 


.inen ; the boxes were then thrown overboard. After t lie 
division of the money the pirates secreted themselves in 
the woods behind Cape l^opcz. Perez and four others 
procured a boat, and started for Fernando Po ; they put 
their money in the bottom of the boat for ballast, but was 
thrown overboard, near a rocli and afterwards recovered 
by divers; this was done to prevent detection. The cap- 
tain, mate, and carpenter had a conversation respecting 
the attempt of the latter, to blow her up, who could not 
account for the circumstance, that an explosion had not 
taken p^ce , HjCv tc!" '".m he ought to have burst a barrel 
of r>owder ovei the deck and down the stairs to the maga- 
zine, loaJed a ffun. tied a fish line to the lock and pulled 
it when he came off m the canoe. 

The Panda being manned by Capt. Trotter and an En- 
glish crew, commenced (iring on the town of Cape Lopez, 
but after firing several shots, a spark communicated with 
the magazine and she blew up. Several men were killed, 
and Captain Trotter and the others thrown into the water, 
when he was made prisoner with several of his crew, by 
the King, and it required considerable negociations to get 
them free. 

The pirates having gone up the river, an expedition 
was now equipped to take them if possible. The long- 
boat and pinnace were instantly armed, and victualled for 
several weeks, a brass gun was mounted on the bows of 
each, and awnings fixed up to protect the crew from the 
extreme heat of the sun by day, and the heavy dews at 
nightfall. As the sea-breeze and flood-ti(fe set in, the 
boats again started and }>roceeded up the river. It was 
ascertained the war-canoes w^ere beyond where the Panda 
w'as first taken ; for fear of an ambuscade great caution 
was observed in proceeding. “ As w^e approached a point, 
a single native was ob-erved standing near a hut erected 
near the river, who, as we approached, beckoned, and call- 
ed for us to land. We endeavored to do so, but fortunate- 
ly the water was too shallow to approach near enough. 

“ We had hardly steered about for the channel, when the 
man suddenly rushed into the bushes and disapppeared. 
We got into the channel, and continued some time in deep 
water, but this suddenly shoaled, and the boats grounded 


View of the Negro village on the nver N-‘'^areth, and Panda at anchor 



4 








f 


\ 


¥ 




/ 



% 







THE ENGLISH ATTACK THE PIRATES. 


131 



near a mangrove, just as we came in sight of a village 
Our crew jumped out, and commenced -tracking the boa 
over the sand, and while thus employed, I observed b^ 
means of my glass, a crowd of natives, and some of th4 
pirates running down the other side of a low point, ap- 
parently with the intention of giving us battle, as they 
were all armed with spears and muskets. 

The men had just succeeded in drawing the boats into 
deep water, when a great number of canoes were observe 


Explosion of the Panda. 

\ 

coming round the point, and at the same instant another 
large party running down to launch ; some more on tho 
beach, when they joined those already afloat, in all made 
above twenty-eight canoes, and about one hundred and 
fifty men. Having collected all their forces, with loud 
whooping and encouraging shouts to one another, they led 
towards us with great celerity. 


132 THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 


We prepared instantly for battle; the awnings were got 
down to allow .room to use the cutlasses, and to load the 
muskets. The brass guns were loaded with grape shot. 
They now a[)|)roached, uttering terrific yells, and paddling 
with all speed. On board the canoes the pirates were 
loading the guns and encouraging tfie natives. Bernardo 
de Soto and Francisco Iluiz were conspicuous, in manoeu- 
vring the negr» boats for battle, and commenced a strag- 
gling fire upon the English boats. In them all was still, 
each man had a cutlass by his side, and a loaded musket In 
his hand. On arriving within pistol-shot a well directed 
fire was poured into them, seconded by a discharge of the 
three pounders ; many of the balls took effect, and two of 
the canoes were suidv. A brisk fire was kept up on both 
sides; a great nun)ber of the negroes were killed, and a 
few of the pirates ; the English loss was small. The ne- 
groes now became panic-struck, and some paddlerl towards 
the shore, ‘others jumped overboard and swam ; the sharks 
caught several. Ca[)tain Gibert and De Soto were now 
caught, together with five of the crew ; Iluiz and the rest 
escaped to a village, some ways irdand, and with the aid 
of a telescope it was perceived the negroes were rapidly 
gathering to renew the combat, urged on by Iluiz and the 
other pirates ; after dislodging then) from this village, ne- 
gociations were entered into by the king of Cape Lopez, 
who surrendered Iluiz and several men to Captain Trotter. 
They were carried in the brig Curlew to Fernando Po, and 
‘after an examination, were put in irons and conveyed to 
England, and there put on Imard the British gun-brig Sav- 
age, and arrived in the harbor Salem on tlie 26th Au- 
gust, 1834. Her comn)ander, Lieut. Loney, waited upon 
the authorities of Salem, and after* the usual formalities, 
surrendered the prisoners into their hands — stating that 
the British Government waived their right to try and pun- 
ish the prisoners, m favor of the United States, against 
whom the principal offence had been committed. The pi- 
rates were landed at Crowningshield wharf, and taken from 
thence in carriages to the Town hall; twelve of them, 
handcuffed in pairs, took their places at the bar. They 
were all young and middle-aged, the oldest was not over 
forty. Physiognornically, they were not uncommonly ill 


THE TRIAL OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 


133 


looking, in general, although there were exceptions, and 
they were all clean and wholesome in their appearance. 
They were now removed to Boston and confined in prison, 
where one of them, named Manuel Delgarno cut his throat 
with a piece of glass, thus verifying the old proverb, that 
those born to^be hung, will never be drown’d ! 

On the 11th of November, Don Pedro Gibert, Captain, 
Don Bernardo de Soto, Mate, Francisco Ruiz, Carpenter, 
Nicola Costa, Cabin-boy, aged 15, Antonio Ferrer, Cook, 
and Manuel Boyga, Domingo de Guzman, an Indixin, Juan 
Antonio Portana, Manuel Castillo, Angel Garcia, Jose Ve- 
lasquez, and Juan Montenegro, alias Jose Basilio de Cas- 



Thomas Fuller striking Ruiz in Court. 


tro, were arraigned before the Circuit Court of the United 
States, charged with the crime of Piracy. Joseph Perez 
appeared as State’s evidence, and two Portuguese sailors 
who were shipped on board the Panda at Prince’s Island, 
witnesses. After a jury was empannelled, Mr. Dunlap, 
12 


34 


THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 


the District Attorney, rose and said — This is a solemn, 
and also an unusual scene. Here are twelve men, strangers 
to our country and to our language, indicted for a heinous 
ofTence, and now before you for life or death. 'They are 
indicted for a daring crime, and a flagrant violation of 
the laws, not only of this, but of every other civilized peo- 
ple.” He then gave an outline of the commission of the 
robbery of the Mexican. Numerous witnesses were exam- 
ined. amongst whom were the Captain, mate, and several 
seamen of the Mexican, who recognized several of the pi- 
rates as being the individuals who maltreated them, and 
took the specie. When Thomas Fuller, one of the crew 
of the Mexican was called upon to identify Ruiz, he went 
up to him an struck him a violent blow on the shoulder 
Ruiz immediately started up, and with violent gesticulations 
protested against such conduct, and was joined by his 
companions. The Court reprimanded the witness se- 
verely. The trial occupied fourteen days. The counsel 
for the prisoners were David L. Child, Esq., and 
George Hillard, Esq., who defended them with great abili- 
ty. Mr. Child brought to the cause his untiring zeal, his 
various and profound learning; and exhibited a labour, and 
desperation which showed that he was fully conscious of 
the weight of the load — the dead lift — he had undertaken 
to carry. Mr. Hillard concluded his argument, by making 
an eloquent and affecting appeal to the jury, in behalf of 
the boy Costa and Antonio Ferrer, the cook, and alluded 
to the circumstnee of Bernardo de Soto having rescued 
the lives of 70 individuals on board the American ship 
Minerva, whilst on a voyage from Philadelphia to Havana, 
when captain of the brig Leon. 

If, gentlemen, said he, you deem with, me, that the crew 
of the Panda, (supposing her to have robbed the Mexican,) 
were merely servants of the captain, you cannot convict 
them. But if ypu do not agree with me, .then all that 
remains for me to do, is to address a few w^ords to you in 
the way of mercy. It does not seem to me that the good 
of society requires the death of all these men, the sacrifice 
of such a hecatomb of human victims, or that the sword of 
the law should fall till it is clogged with massacre. Antch 
nio Ferrer is plainly but a servant. He is set down as a 


MR. HILLARD^S ARGUMENT, 


135 


free black in the ship’s papers, but that is no proof that he 
is free. Were he a slave, he \vould in all probability be 
represented as free, and this for obvious reasons. He is 
in all probability a slave, and a native African, as the tat- 
tooing on his face proves beyond a doubt. At any rate, 
he is but a servant. Now will you make misfortune pay 
the penalty of guilt ? Do not, I entreat you, lightly con- 
demn this man to death. Do not throw liim in to* make 
up the dozen. The regard for human life is one of tho 
most prominent proofs of a civilized state of society. Tlie 
Sultan of Turkey may place women in sacks and throw 



Antonio Ferrer, the Tattooed Cook, 


them into the Bosphorus, without exciting more than an 
hour’s additional conversation at Constantinople. But in 
our country it is different. You well remember the ex- 
citement produced by the abduction and death of a single 
individual ; the convulsions which ensued, the effect of 
which will long be felt in our political institutions. You 
will ever find that the more a nation becomes civilized, the 
greater becomes the regard for human life. There is in 
the eye, the form., and heaven-directed countenance of 


V36 


THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 


man, something holy, that forbids he should be rudely 
touched. 

The instinct of life is great. The light of the sun even 
in chains, is pleasant ; and life, though supported but by 
the damp exhalations of a dungeon, is desirable. Often, 
too, we cling with added tenacity to life in proportion as 
we are deprived of all that makes existence to be coveted 

The weariest and most loathed worldly life, 

That age, ache, penury and imprisonment 
Can lay on Nature, is a Paradise 
To that we fear of Death.” 

Death is a fearful thing. The mere mention of it some- 
times blanches the (^ek, and sends the fearful blood to 
the heart. It is a solemn thing to break into the “ bloody 
house of life.” Do not, because this man is but an Afri- 
can, imagine that his existence is valueless. He is no 
drift weed on the ocean of life. There are in his bosom 
the same social sympathies that animate our own. He 
has nerves to feel pain, and a heart to throb with human 
affections, even as you have, His life, to establish the law, 
or to further the ends of justice, is not required. Taken, 
it is to us of no value ; given to him, it is above the price 
of rubies. 

And Costa, the cabin boy, only fifteen years of age when 
this crime was committed — shall he die? Shall the sword 
fall upon his neck? Some of you are advanced in years — • 
you may have children. Suppose the news had reached 
you, that your son was under trial for his life, in a foreign 
country — (and every cabin boy who leaves this port may 
be placed in the situation of this prisoner,) — suppose you 
were told that he had been executed, because his captain 
and officers had violated the laws of a distant land ; what 
would be your feelings.^ I cannot tell, but I believe the 
feelings of all of you would be the same, and that you 
would exclaim, with the Hebrew, “ My son ! my son ! 
would to God I had died for thee.” This boy has a father ; 
let the form of that father rise up before you, and plead in 
your hearts for his offspring. Perhaps he has a mother, 
and a home. Think of the lengthened shadow that must 


THE VERDICT^ OF THE JURY. 


137 


have been cast over that homo b} li s ab«« nee. 7 bitik of 
his mother, during those hours of wretclu rlness, when slia 
has felt hope darkening into disappointment, next into 
anxiety, and from anxiety into despair. How often may 
she have stretched forth her hands in supplication, and 
asked, even the winds of heaven, to bring her tidings of 
him w ho was aw’ay ? Let the supplications of that mother 
touch your hearts, and shield their object from the law. 

After a iuminous charge by Judge Story, the jury retired 
to agree upon their verdict, and at 9 o’clock the next 
morning came in with their verdict. 

Citric. Gentlemen of the Jury, have you agreed upon 
your verdict ? 

Jury. We have. 

Cler/c. Who shall speak for you? 

Jury. Our foreman. 

7’he prisoners w^ere then directed severally to rise as 
soon as called, and receive the verdict of the jury. The 
Captain, Pedro Gibert, wns the first named. He arose, 
raised liis hand, and regarded the jury with a firm counte- 
nance and steady eye. 

Citric. Jurors look upon the prisoner; prisoner look 
upon the jurors. How say you. Gentlemen, is the prisoner 
at the bar, Pedro Gibert, guilty or not guilty? 

Foreman. GUILTY. 

The same verdict was pronounced against De Soto 
^the mate,) Ruiz, (the carpenter,) Boyga, Castillo, Garcia 
and Montenegro. But Costa, (the cabin-boy,) Ferrer 
(the negro,) Guzman. Partana, and Velasquez, »vere de- 
clared NOT GUILTY. ' 

Afier having declared the verdict of the Jury, the Fore- 
man read to the Court the following recommendation to 
mercy : 

The sympathies of the Jury have been strongly moved 
in behalf of Bernardo de Soto, on account of his generous, 
noble and self-sacrificing conduct in saving the lives of 
more than 70 human beings, constituting the passengers 
and crew of the ship Minerva ; and they desire that his 
case should be presented to the merciful consideration of 
the Government.” 

Judge Story replied that the wish of the jury would 


THE HISTORY OF 


E SPANISH PIRATES. 


in 


certainly be complied with both by the Court and the 
prosecuting olhcer. 

“ The appearance and demeanor of Captain Gibert are 
the same as when we first saw him ; his eye is uinlimmed, 
ar.d decision and command yet sit upon his features. We 
did not discern the slightest alteration of color or counte- 
nance when the verdict of the jury was communicated to 
him ; he merely slightly bow'ed and resumed his seat. 
With Be Soto the case was different. He is much altered ; 
has become thinner, and his countenance this morning 
was expressive of the deepest despoiidency. When in- 
formed of the contents of the paper read by the foreman 
of the jury, he appeared much affected, and while being 
removed from the Court, covered his face with his hand- 
kerchief.” 

Immediately after the delivery of the verdict, the acquit- 
ted prisoners, on motion of Mr. Hillard, were directed to 
be discharged, upon which several of the others loudly and 
angrily expressecl their dissatisfaction at the result of the 
trial. Castillo, (a half-caste, with an extremely mild and 
Pleasing countenance,) pointed towards heaven, and called 
upon the Almighty to bear witness that he w^as innocent ; 
Ruiz uttered some words with great vehemence ; and 
Garcia said ‘^all were in the same ship ; and it was strange 
that some should be permitted to escape while others were 
punished.” M-ost of them on leaving the Court uttered, 
some invective against “ the .picaro who had sworn their 
lives away.” * 

On Costa, the cabin boy, (aged 16) being declared “ Not 
Guilty” some degree of approbation vi as manifested by the 
audience, but instantly checked by the judge, who d .rected 
the officers to take into custody, every one expressing 
either assent or dissent. We certainly think the sympathy 
expressed in favor of Costa very ill placed, for although we 
have not deemed ourselves at liberty to mention the fact 
earJer, his conduct during the whole trial was charac- 
terized by the most reckless effrontery and indecorum 
Even w^hen standing up to receive the verdict of the jury, 
his face bore an impudent smile, and he evinced the most 
total disregard of the mercy which had been extended 
towards him. 


DE SOTO OBTAINS A PARDON. 


139 


About this time vague rumors reached Corunna, that a 
Captain belonging to that place, engaged in the Slave 
1 ade, liad turned Pirate, been captured, and sent to 
America with his crew f(jr punishment. Report at first 
fixed it upon a noted slave- dealer, named Begarp. But 
the astounding intelligence soon reached Senora de Soto, 
tliat her husband was the person captured for this startling 
crime. 3’he shock to her feelings was terrible, but her 
ove and fortitude surmounted them all ; and she deter- 
mined to brave the terrors of the ocean, to intercede for 
her husband if condemned, and at all events behold him 
once more. A small schooner was freighted by her own 
and husband’s father, and in it she embarked for New- 
York. After a boisterous passage, the vessel reached that 
port, when she learned her husband had already been tried 
and condemned to die. The humane people of New- 
York advised her to hasten on to Washington, and plead 
with the President for a pardon. On arriving at the capi- 
tal, she solicited an interview with General Jackson, which 
was readily granted. From the circumstance of her hus- 
band’s having saved the ftves of seventy Americans, a 
merciful ear was turned to her solicitations, and a pardon 
for De Soto was given her, with which she hastened to 
Boston, and communicated to him the joyful intelligence. 

Andrew Jackson, President of the United States of 
America, to all to whom these presents shall come, 
Greeting,: Whereas, at the October Term, 1834, of the 
Circuit Court of the United States, Bernardo ^ Soto was 
convicted of Piracy, and sentenced to be hung^n the 11th 
day of March last, from which sentehce a respite was 
granted him for three months, bearing date the third day 
of March, 1835, also a subsequent one, dated on the fifth 
day of June, 1835, for sixty days. And whereas the said 
Bernardo de Soto has been represented as a fit subject for 
executive clemency-— 

Now therefore, I, Andrew Jackson, President of the 
United States of America, in consideration of the premises, 
divers good and sufficient causes me thereto moving, have 
pardoned, and hereby do pardon the said Bernardo de 
Soto, from and after the 11th August next, and direct that 


140 THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 

he be then discharged from. confinement. In testimon 
whereof 1 have hereunto subscribed my name, and cause 
the seal of the United States to be affixed to these pres 
ents. Done at the City of Washington, the sixth day ol 
July, A. D. 1835, and of the independence of the United 
States the sixtieth. ANDREW JACKSON. 

On the fatal morning of June 11th, 1835, Don Pedro, 
Juan Montenegro, Manuel Castillo, Angel Garcia and 
Manuel Boyga, were, agreeably to sentence, summoned to 
prepare for immediate execution On the night previous, 
a mutual agreement had been entered into to commit 
suicide. Angel Garcia made the first attempt by trying to 
open the veins of each arm with a piece of glass ; but was 
prevented. In the morning however, while preparations 
were making for the execution, Boyga succeeded in inflict- 
ing a deep gash on the left side of his neck, with a piece 
of tin. The officer’s eyes had been withdrawn from him 
scarcely a minute, before he was discovered lying on his 
pallet, with a convulsive motion of his knees, from loss of 
blood. Medical aid was at hand, the gash sewed up, but 
he did not revive. Two Catholic clergymen attended 
them on the scaffold, one a Spanish priest. They w'ere 
executed in the fear of the jail. When the procession 
arrived at the foot of the ladder leading up to the platform 
of the gallows, the Rev. Mr. Varella looking directly at 
Capt. Gibert, said, Spaniards, ascend to heaven.” Don 
Pedro mounted with a quick step, and was followed by 
his comrades at a more moderate pace, but without the 
least hesitation. Boyga, unconscious of his situation and 
destiny, was carried up in a chair, and seated beneath the 
rope prepared for him. Gibert, Montenegro, Garcia and 
Castillo all smiled subduedly as they took their stations on 
the platform. Soon after Capt. Gibert ascended the scaf- 
fold, he passed over to where the apparently lifeless Boyga 
was seated in the chair, and kissed him. Addressing his 
followers, he said, “ Boys, w e are going to die ; but let us 
be firm, for w^e are innocent.” To Mr. Peyton, the inter- 
preter, he said, “ I die innocent, but I’ll die like a noble 
Spaniard. Good bye, brother.” The Marshal having read 
the warrant for their execution, and stated that de §oto 


THE EXECUTION OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 141 


iFas respited sixty and Vv\nz thirty days, the ropes were 
adjusted round tlie necks of the prisoners, and i slight 
hectic flush spread over the countenance of each ; but not 
an eye quailed, nor a limb trembled, nor a muscle quiv'cred. 
The fatal cord was now cut, and the platform fell, by which 
the prisoners were launched into eternity. After the exe- 
iition was over, Ruiz, who was confined in his cel), 
tiracted considerable attention, by his maniac shouts and 
singing. At one time holding up a ])iece of blanket, 
stained with Boyga’s blood, he gave utterance to his ravings 
in a sort of recitative, the burden of which was — “This is 
the red flag my companions died under ! ” 

After the expiration of Ruiz’ second respite, the Marshal 
got two surgeons of the United States Navy, who under- 
stood the Spanish language, to attend him in his cell ; 
they after a patient examination pronounced his madness a 
counterfeit, and his insanity a hoax. Accordingly, on the 
morning of Sept. 11th, tiie Marsiial, in company with a 
Catholic priest and interpreter entered his cell, and made 
him sensible that longer evasion of the sentence of the law 
was impossible, and that he must surely die. They inform- 
ed him that he had but half an hour to live, and retired ; 
when he requested that he might not be disturbed during 
the brief space that remained to him, and turning his back 
to the open entrance to his cell, he unrolled some Iragments 
of printed })rayers, and commenced reading tiiem to him- 
self During this interval he neither spoke, nor heeded 
those who were watching him ; but undoubtedly suffered 
extreme mental agony. At one minute he would drop his 
chin on his bosom, and stand motionless; at another would 
press his brow to the wall of his cell, pr wave his body from 
side to side, as if wrung with unutterable anguish. Sud- 
denly, he would throw liimself upon his knees on the mat- 
tress, arwl prostrate himself as if in prayin'; then throwing 
his prayers from him, he would clutch his rug in his fingers, 
and like a child try to double it up, or pick it to pieces. 
After snatching up his rug and throwing it away again and 
again, he would suddenly resume his prayers and erect 
posture, ajid stand mute, gazing througlk the aperture that 
admitted the light of day for upwards of a minute. This 
scene of imbecility and indecision, of horrible prostration 


m 


THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH PIRATES. 




of mind, ceased in some degree when the Catholic clergy 
man re-entered his cell. 

At 10, o’clock, the prisoner was removed from the prison, 
and during his progress to the scaffold, though the hue of 
death was on his face, and he trembled in every joint with 
fear, he chaunted with a powerful voice an appropriate 
service from the Catholic ritual. Several times he turned 
round to survey the heavens, which at that moment were 
clear and bright above him and when he ascended the 
scaffold, after concluding his prayer, he took one long and 
steadfast look at tliQ sun, and waited in silence his fate. 
His powers, mental and physical iiad been suddenly crushed 
with the appalling reality that surrounded him ; his whole 
soul was .absorbed with one master feeling, the dread of a 
speedy and violeijl death. He quailed in the presence of 
the dreadful paJpiernalia of his punishment, as much as 
if he had been a stranger to deeds of blood, and never 
dealt deaJli to his fellow man as he ploughed the deep, 
under th'^ black flag of piracy, with the motto of Rob, 
Kill, and Burn.” After adjusting the rope, a signal was 
given. The body dropped heavily, and the harsh abrupt 
shock must have instantly deprived him of sensation, as 
there was no voluntary action of the hands afterwards. 
Thus terminated his career of crime in a foreign land, with- 
out one friend to recognize or cheer him, or a single being 
to regret his death. 

The Spanish Consul having requested that the botlies 
might not be given to the faculty, they were interreTl at 
night under the direction of the ^larshal, in tlie Catholic 
burial-ground at Charlestown. There being no murder 
committed with the piracy the laws of the United States 
do not authorize the court to order the bodies for dissection 



Jhiiz havinfr the Panda, 


THE LIFE OF 


BENITO DE SOTC 

THE PIRATE OF THE MORNING 1* y 


The following narrative of the career of a des'perar^tj 
•pirate who was executed in Gibraltar in the mor, th of Jan- 
uary, 1830, is one of two letters fiom the pen of the author 
of the Military Sketch-Book.” The writer sfiys Benito 
de Soto “ had been a prisoner in the garrison for nineteen 
months, during which time tlie British Government spared 
neither pains nor expense to establish a full train of evi 
deuce against him.. The affair had caused the greatest 
excitement here, as well as at Cadiz, owing to the develop- 
ment of the atrocities which marked the character of this 
man, and the diabolical gang of which he was the leader. 
Nothing else is talked of ; and a thousand horrors are added 
to his guilt, which, although he was guilty enough, he has 
no right to bear. The following is all the authentic infor- 
mation I could collect concerning him. I have drawn it 
from his trial, from the confession of his accomplices, from 
the keepers of his prison, and not a little from his own lips. 
It will be found more interesting than all the tales and 
sketches furnished in the ‘Annuals,’ magazines, and othc^ 
vehicles of invention, from the simple fact — that it is tru^i:i 
and not fiction.” 

Benito de Soto was a native af a small village near Cour- 
na ; he was bred a mariner, and was in the guiltless exercise 
of his calling at Buenos Ayres, in the year 1827. A vessel 
was there being fitted out for a voyage to the coast of 
Africa, for the smuggling of slaves ; and as she required a 
strong crew, a great number of sailors were engaged, 
amongst whom was Soto. The Portuguese of South 


f44 


THE LIFE OF BEIfITO DE SOTO. 

# 

America have yet a privilege of dealing in slaves on a cer- 
tain part of the African coast, but it was tiie intention of 
tlic captain of this vessel to exceed the limits of his trade, 
and to run farther down, so as to take liis cargo of human 
beings from a part of the country which was proscribed, in 
the certainty of being there enabled to purchase slaves at 
a much lower rate than he could in the regular way ; or, 
perhaps, to take away by force as many as he could slow 
away into his ship. He therefore required a considerable 
humber of hands for the enterprise ; and in such a ti atfiCr 
it may be easily conceived, that the morals of the crew 
could not be a subject of much consideration with the em- 
ployer. French, Spanish, Portuguese, and others, were 
entered on board, most of them renegadoes, and they set 
sail on their evil voyage, with every hope of inlamous suc- 
cess. 

Those who deal in evil, carry along with them the springs 
uf their own destruction, upeiti which they will tread, in 
spite of every caution, and their imagined security is but 
the brink of the pit into which they arp to iall.* It was so 
with the captain of this slave-ship. lie arrived in Africa, 
took in a considerable number of slaves*, and in order to 
complete his cargo, went on shore, leaving his mate in 
charge of the vessel. This mate was a bold, wicked, reck- 
less, and ungovernable spirit, and perceiving in Benito de 
Soto a mind congenial with liis own, he fixed on him as a 
fit person to join in a design he had conceived, of running 
away with the vessel, and becoming a pirate. Accordingly 
the mate proposed his plan to Soto, who not only agreed 
to join in it, but declared that he himself had been con- 
templating a similar enterprise during the voyage. They 
both were at once of a mind, and they lost no time in ma- 
turing their plot. 

Tlieir first step was to break the matter to the other 
members of the crew. * In this they proceeded cautiously, 
and succeeded so far as to gain over twenty-two of the 
whole, leaving eighteen who remained faUhful to their trust. 
Every means were used to corrupt the well disposed ; b(;th 
persuasion and threats were resorted to, but w ithout effect, 
and the leader of the consjfiracy, the mate, began to despair 
of obtaining the desired object. Soto, however, was not 


/ 


MUTINY 


145 


«o easily depressed. He at once decided on seizing the 
ship upon the strength of his party : and without consult- 
ing the mate, he collected all the arms of the vessel, called 
the conspirators together, put into each of their possession 
a cutlass and a brace of pistols, and arming himself in liko 
manner, advanced at the head of the gang, drew his sword, 
and declared the mate to.be the commander of the ship, 
and. the men who joined him part owners. Still, those ^\ho 
had rejected the evil offer remained, unmoved ; on which 
Soto ordered out the boat, and pointing to the land, cried 
out, “ There is the African coast ; this is our ship — one or 
the other must be chosen by every man on board within 
five minutes.” 

This declaration, although it had the effect of preventing 
any resistance* that might have been offered by the well 
disposed, to the taking of the vessel, did not change them 
from their purpose ; they still refused to join in the robbery, 
and entered one by one into the boat, at the orders of Soto, 
and with but one pair of oars, (all that was allowed to 
them) put off for the shore, from which they were then ten 
miles distant. Had the weather continued calm, as it was 
when the boat left the ship, she would have made the shore 
by dusk ; but unhappily a strong gale of wind set in short- 
ly after her departure, and she was seen by Soto and his 
gang struggling with the billows and approaching night, at 
such a distance from the land as she could not possibly 
accomplish while the gale lasted. All on board the ship 
agreed in opinion that the boat could not live, as they flew 
away from her at the rate of ten knots an hour, under close 
reefed topsails, leaving their unhappy messmates to their 
inevitable fate. Those of the "pirates who were lately ex- 
ecuted at Cadiz, declared that every soul in the boat per- 
ished. 

The drunken uproar which that night reigned in the 
pirate ship was in horrid unison with the ruging elements 
around her ; contention and quarrelling followed the brutal 
ebricty of the pirates; ea^evil spirit sought the mastery 
of the others, and Soto’s, wliich w^as the fiend of all, began 
to giasp and grapple for its proper place — thC head of such 
a diabolical community. 

The mate Tnow the cliief) at once gave the peins to his 

13 * 


146 


THE LIFE OF BENITO DE SOTO 


ruffian tyranny ; and the keen eye of Soto saw that he who 
had fawned with him the day before, would next day rule 
him with an iron rod. Prompt in his actions as he was 
penetrating in his judgment, he had no sooner conceived a 
jealousy of the leader than he determined to put him aside ; 
and as his rival lay in his drunken sleep, Soto put a pistol 
to his head, and deliberately sjiot him. For this act he 
excused himself to the crew, by stating to them that it was 
in their protection he did the act ; that their interest was 
the other’s death ; and concluded by declaring himself 
their leader, and promising a golden harvest to their future 
labors, provided they obeyed him. Soto succeeded to the 
height of his wishes, and was unanimously hailed by the 
crew as their captain. 

On board the vessel, as I before stated, were a number 
of slaves, and these the pirates had well secured under 
hatches. They now turned their attention to those half 
starved, half suffocated creatures ; — some were for throwing 
them overboaid, while others, not less cruel, but more de- 
sirous of gain, proposed to take them to some port in one 
of those countries that deal in liuman beings, and there sell 
them. The latter recommendation was adopted, and Soto 
steered for the West Indies, where he received a good price 
for his slaves. One of those wretched creatures, a boy, he 
reserved as a servant for himself ; and this boy was destined 
by Providence to be the witness of the punishment of those 
white men who tore away from their homes himself and 
his brethren. He alone will carry back to his country the 
truth of Heaven’s retribution, and heal the wounded feel- 
ings of broken kindred with the recital of it. 

The pirates now entered freely into their villianous pur- 
suit, and plundered many vessels ; 'amongst others was an 
American brig, the treatment of which forms the chef d^ceii^ 
vre of their atrocity. Having taken out of this brig all the 
valuables they could find, they hatched down all hands to 
the hold, except a black man, who was allowed to remain 
on deck, for the special purpr^e of afford ng in his torture 
an amusing exhibition to Soto and his gang. They set 
fire to the b?!g, then lay to, to observe the progress’ of the 
flames ; and as the miserable African bounded fiorn rope to 
rope, novw climbing to the mast head — now clinging to the 


INHUMAN TORTURE. 


147 


shrouds — now leaping to one part of the vessel, and now to 
anotlier, — their enjoyment seemed, raised to its highest 
pitch. At length the hatches opened to the devouring 
element, the tortured victim of their fiendish cruelty fell 
exhausted into the flames, and the horrid and revolting 
scene closed amidst the shouts of the miscreants who had 
caused it. 

Of their other exploits, that w hich ranks next in turpi- 
tude, and which led to their overthrow,^was the piracy of 
the Morning Star. They fell in with that vessel near the 
island Ascension, in the year 1828, as she w^as on her voy- 
age from Ceylon to England. This vessel, besides a val- 
uable cargo, had on board sevreal passengers, consisting of 
a major and his wife, an assistant surgeon, two civilians, 
about five and tw^enty invalid soldiers, and three or four of 
their wives. As soon as Benito de Soto perceived the ship, 
wdiich w'as at day-light on the 2 1st of February, he called 
up all hands, and prepared for attacking her ; he was at the 
time steering on an opposite course to that of the Morning 
Star. On reconnoitring her, he at first supposed she w'as 
a French vessel ; but Rabazan, one of his crew, who was 
himself a Frenchman, assured him the ship w'as British. 
“ So much the better,” exclaimed Soto, in English, (for he 
could speak that language,) w^e shall find the more booty.’* 
lie then ordered the sails to be squared, and ran before the 
w ind in chase of his plunder, from wdiich he w as about two 
leagues distant. 

The Defensor de Pedro, the name of the pirate ship, was 
a fast sailer, but owing to the press of canvas wdiich the 
Morning Star hoisted soon after the pirate had commenced 
the chase, he did not come up with her so quickly as he haa 
e\pected : the delay caused great uneasiness to Soto, which 
he manifested by muttering curses, and restlessness of 
manner. Sounds of savage satisfaction w^ere. to be heard 
from every mouth but his at the prospect; he alone ex 
pressed his anticipated pleasure by oaths, menaces, and 
mental iiujuietude. While Earbazan w'as employed in 
superintending the clearing of the de cks, the arming and 
breakfasting of the men, he wallo'd rapidly up and down, 
revolving in his mind the plan of the approaching attack, 
and when interrupted by any of the crew, he would run 


148 


THE LIFE OF BENITO DE SOTO. 


into a volley of imprecations. In one instance, he struck 
his black boy a violent blow with a telescope, because he 
asked him if he would have his morning cup of chocolate ; 
us soon, however, as he set his studding sails, and perceived 
that he was going on the Morning Star, he became some- 
vi’hat tranquil, began to eat heartily of cold beef, drank his 
chocolate at a 
smoke a cigar. 

In less than a quarter of an hour, the pirate had gained 

risiderable on the other vessel. Soto now, without rising 
fr >m where he sat, ordered a gun, with blank cartridge, to 
bc' fired, and the British colors to !)e hoi-ted : but finding 
th'S measure had not the effect of bringing tlie Morning 
Svir to, he cried out, “ Shot the long gun and give it her 
p( int blank.” The order was obeyed, but the shot fell 
short of the intention, on which he jumped up and cursed 
tb-^. fellows for bunglers who had fired tlie gun. He then 
or (ered them to load with canister shot, and took the match 
in his own hand. He did not, however, fire immediately, 
blit waited until he was nearly abreast of his victim ; then 
directing the aim himself, and ordering a man to stand by 
the flag to haul it dowm, fired with an air that showed he 
was5 sure of his mark. He then ran to haul up the Colom- 
Dian colors, and having done so, cried out through the 
speaking trumpet, ‘‘ Lower your boat down this moment, 
and let your captain come on board with his papers.” 

During this fearful chase the people on board the Morji- 
inn[ Star were in the greatest alarm ; but however their 
apprehensions might have been excited, that courage, which 
IS so characteristic of a British sailor, never for a moment 
fo«^sook the captain. He boldly carried on sail, and although 
one of the men fell from a wound, and the ravages of the 
shot were every where around him, he determined not to 
strike. But unhappily he had not a single gun on board, 
and no small arms that could render his courage availing. 
The tears of the women, and the prudent advice of the 
passengers overcoming his resolution, he permitted himself 
to be guided by the general opinion. One of the passengers 
volunteered himself to go on board the pirate, and a boat 
was lowered for the purpose. Both vessels now lay to 
within fifty yards of eacli other, and a strong hope arose in 


draught, and coolly sat down on the deck to 


CRUELTY OF BENITO DE SOTO. 


149 


those on board the Morning Star, that the gentleman who 
had volunteered to go to tiie pirate, might, through his ex 
ertions, avert, at least, the worst of the dreaded calamity 

Some people he re, in their quiet security, have made no 
scruple of declaring, that the commanding officer of the 
soldiers on board should not have so tamely yielded to the 
pirate, particularly as he had his w'ife along with him, and 
consequently a misfortune to dread, that might be thought 
even worse than death : but all who kn^vv the true state of 
the circumstances, and reflect upon it, will allow that he 
adopted the only chance of escaping that, which was to be 
most feared by a husband. The long gun, wdiich was on a 
pivot in the centre of the pirate sliip, could in a few shots 
sink the Morning Star; and even had resistance been made 
to the pirates as they boarded her — had they been killed 
or made prisoners — the result would not be much better. 
It was evident that the Defensor de Pedro was the best 
sailer, consequently the Morning Star could not hope to 
e cape; in fact, submission or total destruction was the 
only choice. The commanding officer, therefore, acted /or 
the best when he recommended the former. There was 
some slighit hope of escaping with life, and without personal 
abuse, by surrendering, but to contend must be inevitable 
death. 

The gentleman who had gone in a boat to the pirate re- 
turned in a short time, exhibiting every proof of the ill 
treatment he had received from Soto and his crew. It 
appears that when the villains learned that he was not the 
captain, they fell upon and beat him, as well as the sailors 
along with him, in a most brutal manner, and with the most 
horrid imprecations told him, that if ihe captain did not 
instantly come, on his return to the vessel, they wmuld blow 
the ship out of the water. This report at once decided the 
captain in the way he was to act. Without hesitation he 
stepped into the boat, taking wdth him his second mate, 
three soldiers and a sailor boy, and proceeded to the pirate. 
On going on board that vessel, along with the mate, Soto, 
who stood near .the mainmast, wdth his drawn cutlass in 
his hand, desired him to approach, while the mate was or- 
dered, by Barbazan, to go to the fore-castle. Both these 
unfortunate individuals obeyed, and were instantly slaugh- 
tered. 13* 


150 , THE LIFE OF BENITO DE SOTO. 

Soto now ordered six picked men to descend into the 
boat, amongst whom was Barbazan. To him the leader 
FwJdressed his orders, the last of which was, to take care to 
’»>uf all in the prize to death, and then sink her. 

The six pirates, who proceeded to execute his savage 
aOmand, were all armed alike, — they each carried a brace 
of pistols, a cutlass and a long knife. Their dress was 
composed of a sort of coarse cotton chequered jacket and 
trovvsers, shirts that were open at the collar, red woollen 
caps, and broad canvas waislbelts, in which were the pistols 
and the knives. They were all athletic men, and seemed 
puch as might well be trusted with the sanguinary errand 
on which they were despatched. While the boat was con- 
veying them, Soto held in his hand a cutlass, reddened 
wdth the blood of the murdered captain, and stood scowl- 
ing on them with silence: while another ruffian, with a 
lighted match, stood by the long gun, ready to support the 
boarding, if necessary, with a shot that would sweep the 
deck. 

As the boarders approached the Morning Star, the terror 
of the females became excessive ; they clung to their hus- 
bands in despair, who endeavored to allay their fears by 
their own vain hopes, assuring them that by a quiet sub- 
mission nothing more than the plunder of the vessel was 
to be apprehended. But a few minutes miserably unde- 
ceived them. The pirates rapidly mounted the side, and 
as they jumped on deck, commenced to cut right and left 
at all within their reach, uttering at the same time the most 
dreadful oaths. The females, screaming, hurried to hide 
themselves below as well as they were able, and the men 
fell or fled before the pirates, leaving them entire masters 
of the decks. 

When the pirates had succeeded in effectually prostrating 
all the people on deck, they drove most of them below, 
and reserved the remainder to assist in their operations. 
Unless the circumstances be closely examined, it may be 
wondered how six men could have so easily overcome a 
crew of English seamen supported by about twenty soldiers 
with a major at their head : — but it will not appear so sur- 
prising, when it is considered that the sailors were altogether 
unarmed, the soldiers were worn out invalids, and more 


CAPTURE OF THE MORNING STAR 


151 


particularly, that the pirate carried a heavy long gun, ready 
to sink her victim at a shot. Major Logie was fully im- 
pressed with the folly of opposing so powerful and de^^)er- 
ate an enemy, and therefore advised submission as the only 
course for the safety of those under his charge ; presuming 
no doubt that something like humanity might be found in 
the breasts even of. the worst of men. But alas ! he was 
woefully deceived in his estimate of the villains’ nature, and 
felt, when too late, that even death \vould liave been pre- 
ferable to the barbarous treatment he was forced to endure. 

Beaten, bleeding, terrified, the men lay huddled together 
in the hold, while the pirates proceeded in their work of 
pillage and brutality. Every trunk was hauled forth, every 
portable article of value heaped for the plunder ; money, 
plate, charts, nautical instruments, and seven parcels of 
valuable jewels, which formed part of the cargo ; these were 
carried from below on the backs of those men whom the 
pirates selected to assist them, and for two hours they were 
thus employed, during which lime Soto stood upon his own 
deck directing the operations; for the vessels were within 
a hundred yards of each other. The scene which took 
place in the cabin exhibited a licentious brutality. The 
sick officer, Mr. Gibson, was dragged from his berth ; tiie 
clothes of the other passengers stripped from their backs, 
and the whole of the cabin passengers driven on deck, ex- 
cept the females, whom they locked up in the round-house 
on deck, and the steward, who was detained to serve the 
pirates with wine and eatables. This treatment, no doubt, 
hastened the death of Gibson ; the unfortunate gentleman 
did not long survive it. As the passengers were forced 
up the cabin ladder, the feelings of Major Logie, it may 
be imagined, were of the most heart-rending description. 
In vain did he entreat to be allowed to remain ; he v/as 
hurried away from even the chance of protecting his de- 
fenceless wife, and battened down with the rest in the 
hold, there to be racked with the fearful apprehensions of 
their almost certain doom. 

The labors of the robbers being now concluded, they sa+ 
down to regale themselves, preparatory to the chef d^ceuvre 
of their diabolical enterprise ; and a more terrible group ot 
demi-devils, the steward declares, could not be well imag 


f 


152 


THE LIFE OF BENITO DE SOTO. 


ined than commanded his attention at the cabin table 
However, as he was a Frenchman, and naturally polite 
he acquitted himself of the office of cup-bearer, if not a.* 
gracefully, at least as anxiously, as ever did Ganymede 
herself. Yet, notwithstanding this readiness to serve the 
visitors in their gastronomic desires, the poor steward felt ill- 
recjuited ; he was twice frightened into an icicle, and twice 
thawed back into conscious horror, by the rudeness of those 
he entertained. In one instance, when he had filled out 
a sparkling glass for a ruffian, and believed he had quite 
\^on the heart of the drinker by the act, he found himself 
grasped roughly and tightly by the throat, and the point of 
a knife staring him in the face. It seems the fellow who 
thus seized him, had felt between his teeth a sharp bit of 
broken glass, and fancying that something had been put in 
the wine to poison him, he determined to prove his suspi- 
cions by making the steward swallow what remained in the 
bottle from which the liquor had been drawn, and thus 
unceremoniously prefaced liis command ; however, ready 
and implicit obedience averted further bad consequences. 
The other instance of the stew^ard’s jeopardy was this ; 
when the repast was ended, one of the gentlemen coolly 
requested him to waive all delicacy, and point out the 
place in which the captain’s money was concealed. He 
might as well have asked him to produce the philosopher’s 
stone. However, pleading the truth was of no use ; his 
determined requisitor seconded the demand by snapping a 
pistol at his breast ; having missed fire, he recocked, and 
again presented ; but the fatal w^eapon was struck aside by 
Barbazan, who reproved the rashness with a threat, and 
thus averted the steward’s impending fate. It was then 
with feelings of satisfaction he heard himself ordered to go 
down to the hold, and in a moment he was bolted in 
among his fellow sufferers. 

The ruffians indulged in the pleasures of the bottle for 
some time longer, and then having ordered down the 
females, treated them with even less humanity than char- 
acterised their conduct towards the others. The screams 
of the helpless females were heard in the hold by those 
who were unable to render them assistance, and agonizing, 
indeed, must those screams have been to their incarcerated 


Horrid abuse of the helpless women in the cabin. 




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-^1 


fortunate escape of TilE PASSENGERS. 


155 


nearers ! How far the brutality of the pirates was 'carried 
in this stage of the horrid proceeding, we can only sur- 
mise ; fortunately, their lives were spared, although, as it 
afterwards appeared, the ordej^s of Soto were to butcher 
every being on board ; and it is thought that these orders 
were not put into action, in consequence of the villains 
Jiaving wasted so much, time in drinking, and otherwise' 
indulging themselves ; for it was not until the loud voice 
of their chief was heard to recall them, that they prepared 
to leave the ship ; they therefore contented themselves with 
fastening the women within the cabin, heaping heavy lum- 
ber on the hatches of the hold, and boring holes in the 
planks of the vessel below the surface of the water, so that 
in destroying the unhappy people at one swoop, they might 
make up for the lost time. They then left the ship, sink- 
ing fast to her apparently certain fate. 

It may be reasonably supposed, bad as their conduct 
was towards the females, and pitiable as was the suffering 
it produced, that the lives of. the whole left to perish were 
preserved through it ; for the ship must have gone down 
if the women had been either taken out of her or mur- 
dered, and those in the hold inevitably have gone with her 
to the bottom. But by good fortune, the females suc- 
ceeded in forcing their way out of the cabin, and became 
the means of liberating the men confined in the hold. 
When they came on deck, it was nearly dark, yet they 
could see the pirate ship at a considerable distance, with 
all her sails set and bearing aw’ay from them. They pru- 
dently waited, concealed from the possibility of being seen 
by the enemy, and when the night fell, they crept to the 
hatchway, and called out to the men below to endeavor to 
c;ffect their liberation, informing them that the pirate was 
away and out of sight. iThey then united their efforts, 
and the lumber being removed, the hutches gave way to 
the force below, so that the released captives breathed of 
hope again. The delightful draught, however, was checked, 
wdien the ship w^as found to contain six feet of w^ater ! A 
momentary collapse took possession of all their newly ex- 
cited expectations ; cries and groans of despair burst forth , 
but the sailors’ energy quickly returned, and was followed 
by that of the others ; they set to work at the pumps, and 


156 


THE LIFE OF BENITO DE SOTO. 


by dint of labor surxeeded in* keeping the vessel afloat 
Yet to direct her course was impossible ; the pirates having 
completely disabled her, by cutting away her rigging 
and sawing the masts all the way ilirough. The eye of 
Providence, however, was not averted from the ha [dess 
people, for they fell in with a vessel next day that relieved 
• them from their distressing situation, and brougiil them to 
L': igland in safety. 

We will now return to Soto, and show how the hand of 
chat Providence that secured his intended victims, fell 
upon himself and his wicked associates. Intoxicated with 
their infamous success, the night had far advanced before 
Soto learned that the people in Che Morning Star, instead of 
oeing slaughtered, were only left to be drowned. The infor- 
mation excited his utmost rage. He reproached Barbazan, 
and those who had accompanied them in the boarding, 
With disobeying his orders, and declared that now there 
could be no security for their lives. Late as the hour was, 
and long as he had been steering away from the Morning 
Star, he determined to put back, in the hope of ellectually 
preventing the escape of those in the devoted vessel, by 
seeing them destroyed before his eyes. Soto was a fol- 
lower of the principle inculcated by the old maxim, “ Dead 
men tell no tales;” and in pursuance of his doctrine, lost 
not a moment in putting about and running back. But it 
was too late ; he could find no trace of the vessel, and so 
consoled himself with the belief that she was at the bottom 
of tlie sea, many fathoms below' the ken and cognizance of 
Admiralty Courts. 

Soto, thus satisfied, bent his course to Europe. On his 
voyage he fell in w'ith a small brig, boarded, plundered, 
«unk her, and, that he might not again run the hazard of 
encountering living witnesses *bf his guilt, murdered the 
crew; with the exception of one individual, whom he took 
along with him, on account of his knowledge of the course 
to Corunna, w hither he intended to proceed. But, faith- 
ful to his principles of self-protection, as soon as he had 
made full use of the unfortunate sailor, and I’ound himself 
in sight of the destined port, he come up to him at the 
helm, which he held in his hand, “ My friend,” said he 

\s that the harbor of Corunna? ” — “ Yes,” was the reply 


FEARFUL SITUATION OF THE PIRATES. 


15 


‘Then,” rejoined Solo, “You have done your duty well, 
and I am obliged to you for your services.” On the in- 
stant he drew a pistol and shot the man ; then coolly flung 
his body overboard, took the helm himself, and steered 
into his native harbor as little concerned as if he had 
returned from an honest voyage. At this port he obtained 
papers in* a false, name, disposed of a great part of his 
booty, and after a short stay set out for Cadiz, where he 
' expected a market for the remainder. He had a fair wind 
until he came within sight of the coast near that city. It 
was coming on dark and he lay to, expecting to go into 
his anchorage next morning, but the wind shifted to the 
westward, and suddenly began to blow a heavy gale ; it 
was right on the land. He luffed his ship as close to the 
wind as possible, in order to clear a point that. stretched 
outward, and heat off to windward, but his^ lee-way carried 
him towards the land, and he was caught when he least 
expected the trap. The gale increased — the night grew 
pitchy dark — the roaring breakers were on his lee-beam^ — 
the drifting vessel strikes, rebounds, and strikes again — the 
cry of horror rings through the flapping cordage, and des- 
pair is in the eyes of the demon-crew. Hel{)less they lie 
amid the wrath of the storm, and the darkened face of 
Heaven, for the first time, strikes terror on their guilty 
hearts. Death is before them, but not with a merciful 
quickness does he approach ; hour after hour the frightful 
vision glares upon them, and at length disappears only to 
come upon them again in a more dreadful form. The 
tempest abates, and the sinners were spared for the time. 

As the daylight bfoke they took to their boats, and 
abandoned the vessel to preserve their lives. But there 
was no repentance in the pirates ; along with the night 
and the winds went the voice of conscience, and they 
thought no more of what had passed. They stood upon 
the beach gazing at the wreck, and the first thought of 
Soto, was to sell it, and purchase another vessel for the 
renewal of his atrocious pursuits. With the marked deci • 
sion of his character, he proposed his intention to his fol- 
lowers, and received their full approbation. The plan was 
instantly arranged ; they were to present themselves as 
honest, shipwrecked mariners to the authorities at Cadiz ; 


158 


THE LIFE OF EENITO DE SOTO. 


Soto was to take upon himself the office of mate, or contra 
maestrft to an imaginary captain, and thus obtain their 
Sanction in disposing of the vessel. In their assumed 
character, the whole proceeded to Cadiz, and presented 
themselves before the proper officers of the marine, 'i’heir 
story was listened to with sympathy, and for a few days 
every thing went on to their satisfaction. Soto had suc- 
ceeded so well as to conclude the sale of the wreck with 3 
broker, for the sum of one thousand seven hundred and 
fifty dollars* ; the contract was signed, but fortunately the 
money was not yet paid, when suspicion arose, from some 
inconsistencies in the pirates’ account of themselves, and 
six of them were arrested by the authorities. Soto and 
one of his cr / instantly disappeared from Cadiz, and suc- 
ceeded in arriving at the neutral ground before Gibralter, 
and six more made their escape to the Carraccas. 

‘ None are permitted to enter the fortress of Gibralter, 
without permission from the governor, or a passport. Soto 
and his companion, therefore, took up their quarters at a 
Posade on the neutral ground, and resided there in secu- 
rity for several days. The bury and daring mind of the 
former could not long remain inactive ; he proposed to his 
companion to attempt to enter the garrison in disguise and 
by stealth, but could not prevail upon him to consent. He 
therefore resolved to go in alone ; and his object in doing 
so was to procure a supply of money by a letter of credit 
which he brought with him from Cadiz. Ilis companion, 
more wise than he, chose the safer course ; he knew that 
the neutral ground was not much controllable by the laws 
either of the Spaniards or the English, and although there 
was not much probability of being discovered, he resolved 
not to trust to chance in so great a stake as his life ; and 
he proved to have been right in his judgment, for had he 
gone to Gibralter, he would have shared the same fate of 
liis chief. This man is the only one of the whole gang, 
who has not met with the punishment of his crimes, for he 
succeeded in effecting his escape on board some vessel. 
It is not even suspected to what cauntry he is gone ; but 
his description, no doubt, is registered. Tne steward of 
the Morning Star informed me, that he is a tall, stout man, 
with fair hair, and fresh complexion, of a mild and gentle 


A DESCRIPTION OF DE SOTO’s PERSON. 169 

countenance, but that he was one of the worst villains of 
the whole piratical crew. I believe he is stated to be a 
Frenchman. 

Soto secured his admission into the garrison by a false 
pass, and took up his residence at an inferior tavern in a 
narrow lane, which runs off the main street of Gibralter, 
and is kept by a man of the name of Basso. The appear- 
ance of this house suits well with the associations of the 
worthy Benito’s life. I have occasion to pass the door 
fre(iuently at night, for our barrack, (the Casement,) is 
but a few yards from it. I never look at the place without 
feeling an involuntary sensation of horror — the smoky and 
dirty nooks — the distant groups of dark Spaniards, Moors, 
and Jews, their sallow countenances made yellow by the 
light of dim oil lamps — the unceiled rafters of the rooms 
above, seen through unshuttered windows and the con- 
sciousness of their having covered the atrocious Soto, com- 
bine this effect upon me. 

In this den the villain remained for a few weeks, and 
during this time seemed to enjoy himself as if he had hever 
committed a murder. The story he told Basso of his cir- 
cumstances was, that he had come to Gibralter on his way 
to Cadiz from Malaga, and w’as merely awaiting the arrival 
of a friend. He dressed expensively — generally wore a 
white hat of the best English quality, silk stockings, white 
trowsers, and blue frock coat. His whiskers were large 
and bushy, and his hair, which was very black, profuse, 
long and naturally curled, was much in the style of a Lon- 
don preacher of prophetic and anti-poetic notoriety. He 
was deeply browned with the sun, and had an air and gait 
expressive of his bold, enterprising, and desperate mind. 
Indeed, when 1 saw him in his cell and at his trial, although 
his frame w'as attenuated almost to a skeleton, the color of 
his face a pale yellow, his eyes sunken, and his hair closely 
shorn ; he still exhibited strong traces of what Tie had been, 
Btill retained his erect and fearless carriage, his quick, fiery, 
and malevolent eye, his hurried and concise speech, and 
his close and pertinent style of remark. He appeared to 
me such a man as would have made a hero in the ranks of 
his country, had circumstances placed him in the proper 
road to fame ; but ignorance and poverty turned into the 


160 


THE LIFE OF BENITO DE SOTO. 


most ferocious robber, one who might have rendered ser- 
vice and been an honor to iiis sunken country. 1 should 
like to bear w hat the })hrenologists say of his head ; it 
appeared to me to be the most peculiar ! had ever seen, 
and certainly, as far as the biimj) of destructiveness went, 
bore the theory fully out. It is rumored here that the 
skull has been sent to the savaus of iMlinburg; if tliis be 
the case, we shall no doubt be made acquainted with thri? 
sage opinions upon the subject, and great conquerors will 
receive a farther assurance of how much they resemble in 
their physical natures the greatest murdererst 

When I visited the pirate in the Moorish castle where 
he was confined, he was silting in his cohl, narrow, and 
miserable cell, u}>on a pallet of straw, eating his coarse 
meal from a tin j.-late. I thought him more an object of 
pity than vengeance; he looked so worn with disease, so 
crushed with suffering, yet so alTable, frank, and kind in 
his address; for he happened to be iir a communicative 
mood, a thing that was by no means common with him. 
He spoke of his long confinement, till I thought the tears 
were about to start from his eyes, and alluded to his ap- 
proaching trial with satisfaction ; but his predominant char- 
acteristic, ferocity, appeared in his small piercing black 
eyes before 1 left him, as h’e alluded to his keeper, the 
Provost, in such a way that made me suspect his desire for 
blood was not yet e.xtinguished. When he appeared in 
court on his trial, his demeanor was quite altered ; he 
seemed to me to have suddenly risen out of the wretch he 
was in his cell, to all the qualities I had heard of him ; he 
stood erect and unembairassed ; he spoke with a strong 
voice, attended closely to the proceedings, occasionally 
examined the witnesses, and at the conclusion protested 
against the justice of his. trial. He sometimes spoke to the 
guards around him, and sometimes affected an air of care- 
lessness of his awful situation, -which, however, did not sit 
easy upon him. Even here the leading trait of his mind 
broke forth ; for when the interpreter commenced hit 
office, the language which he made use of being pedantic 
and affected, Soto interrupted him thus, while a scowl sat 
upon his brow that terrified the man of words : ‘‘ I don’t 


TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF BENITO DE SOTO. 161 

understand you, man;*speak Spanish like others, and Fll 
listen to you.” When the dirk that belonged to Mr. 
Robertson, the trunk and clothes taken from Mr. Gibson, 
aiid the pocket book containing the ill-fated captain’s hand 
u riting were placed before him, and proved to have been 
found in his room, and when the maid servant of the tavern 
proved that she found the dirk under his pillow every 
morning on arranging his bed ; and when he was con- 
fronted with his own black slave, between two wax lights, 
the counterance of the villain appeared in its true nature, 
not depresst i nor sorrowful, but vivid and ferocious ; ami 
when tiie pat ent and dignified governor. Sir George Don, 
passed the just sentence of the law upon him, he looked 
daggers at his heart, and assumed a horrid silence, moie 
eloquent than words. 

The criminal persisted up to the day before his execu- 
tion in asserting his innocence, and inveighing against the 
injustice of Ins trial, but the certainty of his fate, and the 
awful voice. of religion, at length subdued him. He made 
an unreserved confession of his guilt, and became truly 
penitent; gave up to the keeper the blade of a razor which 
he had secreted between the soles of his shoes for the 
acknowledged purpose of adding suicide to his crimes, and 
seemed to wish for the moment that was to send him before 
his Creator. 

I witnessed his execution, and I believe there never was 
a more contrite man than he appeared to be ; yet there 
were no drivelling fears upon him — he walked firmly at 
the tail of the fatal cart, gazing sometimes at his coffin, 
sometimes at the crucifix which he held in his hand. The 
symbol of divinity he frequently pressed to his lips, repeated 
the prayers spoken in his ear by the attendant clergy- 
man, and seemed regardless of every thing but the world 
to come. The gallows was erected beside the water, and 
fronting the neutral ground. He mounted the cart as 
firmly as he had walked behind it, and held up his face to 
Heaven and the beating rain, calm, resigned, but unsha- 
ken ; and finding the halter too high for his neck, he 
boldly stepped upon his coffin, and placed his head in the 
noose, then watching the first turn of the wheels, he mur 

14# 


162 


THE LIFE OF BENITO DE SOTO. 


mured - idlos iodos,^^* and leaned forward to facilitate 
hi- (all. 

'I he black slave of- the pirate stood upon the battery 
trembling before his dying master to behold the awful ter- 
mination of a series of events, the recital of which to his 
African countrymen, when he sliall return to his home, 
will give them no doubt, a dreadful picture of European 
civili/.ation. The black boy was acquitted at Cadiz, but 
the men u'ho had lied to the Carraccas, as well as those 
nested after the wreck, were convicted, executed, their 
limbs severed, and hung on tenter hooks, a a warning to 
all pirates. 


• “ Farewell, all. 


’rilE ADVENI'UIIES OF 


CAPTAIN ROBEllT KIDD. 



Captain Kidd burying his Bible, 

The easy access to the harbor of New-York, the nuinber 
of hiding-p/ ces about its waters, and the laxity of its newly 
organized wernrnent, about the year 1695, made it a great 
rendezvoii.' of pirates, where they might dispose of their 
booty and concert new depredations. As they brought 


164 THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ROBERT KIDD. 

home with them wealthy lading of all kinds, the luxuries 
of the tropics, and the sumptuous spoils of the Spanish 
provinces, and disposed of them with the proverbial care- 
lessness of freebooters, they were welcome visitors to the 
thrifty traders of New- York. Crews of these desperadoes, 
therefore, the runagates of every country and every clime, 
might be seen swaggering in open day about the streets, 
elbowing its quiet inhabitants, trafficking their rich outland- 
ish plunder at half or quarter price to the wary merchant ; 
and then squandering their prize-money in taverns, drink- 
ing, gambling, singing, carousing and astounding the 
neighborhood with midnight brawl and revelry. At length 
these excesses rose to such a height as to become a scandal 
to the provinces, and to call loudly for the interposition of 
government. Measures were accordingly taken to put a 
stop to this widely extended evil, and to drive the pirates 
out of the colonies. 

Among the distinguished individuals who lurked about 
the colonies, w^as Captain Robert Kidd, who in the begin- 
ning of King William’s war, commanded a privateer in the 
West Indies, and by his several adventurous actions, 
acquired the reputation of a brave man, as w'ell as an 
experienced seaman. But he had now become notorious, 
as a nondescript animal of the ocean. He was somewhat 
of a trader, something more of a smuggler, but mostly a 
pirate. He had traded many years among the pirates, in 
a little rakish vessel, that could run into all kinds of water. 
He knew all their haunts and lurking places, and was 
always hooking about on mysterious voyages. 

Upon the good old maxim of ‘‘ setting a rogue to catch 
a rogue,” Capt. Kidd was recommended by the Lord 
Bellamont, then governor of Barbadoes, as well as by 
several other persons, to the government here, as a person 
very fit to be entrusted to the command of a government 
ship, and to be employed in cruising upon the pirates, as 
knowing those seas perfectly w'ell, and being acquainted 
with all their lurking places ; but what reasons governed 
the politics of those times, I cannot tell, but this proposal 
met wdth no encouragement here, though it is certain it 
would have been of great consequence to the subject, our 
merchants suffering incredible damages by those robbers. 


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CAPTAIN KIDd’s commission. 


167 


Upon this neglect, the lord Bellamont and some others, 
W'lio knew what great captures had been inatle by th(3 
pirates, and what a prodigious wealth must be in their 
possession, were tempted to fit out a ship at (hei^ own 
private charge, and to give the command of her to Captain 
Kidd ; and to gfve the tiling a greater reputation, as well 
to keep their seamen under better Coimmind, they pro' 
cured the king’s commission for the said Capi. Kidd, of 
hich the following is an exact copy : 

William Rex, 

William the Third, by the grace of God, King of 
England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the 
faith, &.C. To our trusty and well beloved ( ’a[)t. Robert 
Kidd, commander of the ship the Advei.ture galley, or to 
any other, the commander of the same for tiie time being, 
Greeting : Whereas we are informed, that Capt. d'homas 
Too, John Ireland, Capt. Thomas Wake, and Capt. Wil- 
liam Maze or Mace, and other subj' cts, natives or inhabi- 
tants of New-York, and elsewhere, in our plantations in 
America' have associated themselves with divers others, 
wicked and ill-disposed persons, and do, against the law of 
nations, commit many and great piracies, robberies and 
depredations on the seas upon tlie parts of America, and 
in other parts, to the great hindrance and discouragement 
of trade and navigation, and to tlie great danger and hurt 
of our loviifJV subjects, our allies, and all others, navigating 
the seas upon their la^v^ul occasions. Now know ye, that 
we being desirous to prevent the aforesaid mischiefs, and 
as much as in us lies, to bring the said pirates, free-booters 
and sea-rovers to justice, have thought fit, and do hereby 
give and grant to the said Robert Kidd, (to vvhoni out 
commissioners for exercising the office of Lord High Admi- 
ral of Pdngland, have granted a commission as a private 
man -of- war, bearing date the lith day of December, 1695,) 
and unto the commander of the said ship for the time 
being, and unto the officers, mariners, and others which 
shall be under your command, full power and authority to 
apprehend, seize, and take into your custody as well tlie 
said Capt. 'i'homas Too, John Ireland, Capt. Thomas 
Wake, and Capt. Win. Maze or Mace, as all such piratesi 


1(58 THE ADVEiVTUKEfi OF CAPTAIN ROBERT KITfD. 


free-booters, and sea-rovers, being either our suV-jerts^ or 
ut‘ other nations associated with them, which you shall meet 
W'th u[)on the seas or coasts of America, or upon any other 
seas oi coasts, with all their ships and vessels, and all su' h 
merchandizes, money, goods, and wares as shall be founrl 
on board, or with them, in case they shall willingly yield 
themselves; but if they will not yield without fighting, then 
you are by force to compel them to yield. And we also 
require you to bring, or cause to be brought, such pirates, 
free-booters, or sea-rovers, as you shall seize, to a legal 
trial, to the end they may bo proceeded against according 
to the law in such cases. And we do hereby command 
all our ofRcers, ministers, and other our lo\ing subjects 
whatsoever, to be aiding and assisting to you in the premi- 
ses. And we do hereliy enjoin you to keep an exact 
journal of your |>roceedings in execution of the premises, 
and set down the names of such pirates, aiid oi’ their 
ofiicers and company, and the names of such shi[)s and 
vessels as you shall liy virtue of these presents take and 
seize, and the quantities of arms, ammunition, provision, 
and lading of such ships, and the true value of the same, 
as near as you judge. And we do hereby strictly charge 
and command you, as you will answer the contrary at your 
peril, that you do not, in any manner, offend or molest our 
friends or allies, their ships or subjects, by colour or 
pretence of these presents, or the authority thereby grant- 
ed. Ill jvitness whereof, we have caused our «rreat seal of 
England to be affixed to these presents. Given at our 
court in Kensington, the 2Gth day of January, 1695, in 
the 7th year of our reign.” 

Capt. Kidd had also another commission, which was 
called *a commission of reprisals ; for it being then war 
time, this commission was to justify him in the taking of 
d^>ench merchant ships, in case he should meet with any’ 
but as this commission is nothing to our present purpose, 
we shall not l>urlhen the reader with it. 

Previous to sa.ling, Capt. Ki-dd buried his bible on the 
sea-shore, in Plymouth Sound ; its divine precepts being 
so at variance with Ins wicked course of life, that he did 
not choose to keep a book which condemned him in his 
Iswless career. 


CAPTAIN KIDD SAILS FOR MADEIRA. 


16^1 

With these two commissions he sailed out of Plymouth 
n May, 1696, in the Adventure galley, of 30 guns, and 80 
men; the place he first designed for was New-York ; in 
his voyage thither, he took a French banker, but this was 
no act of piracy, he having a commission for that purpose, 
as we have just observed. 

When he arrived at New-York, he put up articles for 
engaging more hands, it being necessary to his ship’s crew, 
since he proposed to deal with a desperate enemy. The 
terms he offered, were, that every man should have a share 
of what was taken, reserving for himself and owners forty 
shares. Upon which encouragement he soon increased his 
company to 155 men. * 

With this company he sailed first for Madeira, where he 
took in wine and some other necessaries ; from thence he 
proceeded to Bonavista, one of the Cape de Verd Islands, 
to furnish the ship with salt, and from thence went imme- 
diately to St. Jago, another of the Cape de Verd Islands, 
in order to stock himself with provisions. When all this 
was done, he bent his course to Madagascar, the known 
rendezvous of pirates. In his way he fell in with Capt. 
Warren, commodore of three men of war ; he acquainted 
him with his design, kept them company two or three days, , 
and then leaving them, made the best of his way for Mad- 
agascar, where he arrived in February, 1696, just nine 
months from his departure from Plymouth. 

It happened that at this time the pirate ships were most 
of them out in search of prey ; so that according to the 
best intelligence Capt. Kidd could get, there was not one 
of them at that time about the island ; wherefore, having 
spent some time in watering his ship and taking in more 
provisions, he thought of trying his fortune on the coast of 
Malabar, where he arrived in the month of June following, 
four months from his reaching Madagascar. Hereabouts 
he made an unsuccessful cruise, touching sometimes at the 
island of Mohila, and sometimes at that of Johanna, be- 
tween Malabar and Madagascar. Ilis provisions were 
every day wasting, and his ship began to want repair ; 
wherefore, when he w'as at Johanna, he found means of 
borrowing a sum of money from some Frenchmen who had 
k>st their ship, but saved their effects, and with this he pur 
chased materials for putting his ship in good repair. 


170 THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ROBERT KIDD. 


It does not appear all this while that he had the least 
dej-ign of turning pirate; for near Mohila and Johanna 
both, he met with several Indian ships richly laden^ to 
which he did not offer the least violence, though he was 
strong enough to have done what he pleased with them ; 
and the first outrage or depredation I find he committevl 
upon mankind, was after his repairing his ship, and leaving 
Johanna; he touched at a place called Mabbee, upon the 
Red Sea, where he took some Guinea corn frorn the 
natives, by force. After this, he sailed to Bab’s Key. a 
place upon a little island at the entrance of the Red Sea. 
Hye it was that he first began to open himself to his ship’s 
company, and let them understand that. he intended to 
change his measures ; for, happening to talk of the Mocha 
ficet, which w'as to sail that way, he said, “ ff'e have been 
unsuccessful hitherto ; but courage^ my boys, weUl make our 
fortunes out of this feet ; and finding that none of tliem 
appeared averse to it, he ordered a boat out, well manned, 
o go upon the coast to make discoveries, commanding 
them to take a [)risoner and bring him to him, or get intelli- 
gence any way they could. The boat returned in a few 
days, bringing him word, that they saw fourteen or fifteen 
ships ready to sail, some with English, some with Dutch, 
and some with Moorish colors. 

We cannot account for this sudden change in his con- 
duct, otherwise than by supposing that he first meant well, 
while he had hopes of making his fortune by taking of 
pirates ; but now weary of ill success, and fearing lest his 
owners, out of humor at their great expenses, should 
dismiss him, and he should want employment, and be 
marked out for an unlucky man ; rather, 1 say, than run 
the hazard of poverty, he resolved to do his business one 
w'ay, since he could not do it another. 

He therefore ordered a man continually to watch at the 
mast head, lest this fleet should go by them ; and about 
four days after, towards evening, it appeared in sight, being 
convoyed’ by one English and one. Dutch man of war 
Kidd soon fell in with them, and getting into the midst of 
them, fired at a Moorish ship which w^as next him ; but the 
men-of-war taking the alarm, bore down upon Kidd, and^ 
firing upon him, obliged him to sheer off, he not being 




KIDD S FIRST PIRACY. 


171 


strong enough to contend with them. Now he had begun 
hostilities, he resolved to go on, and therefore he went and 
cruised along the coast of Malabar. The first prize he 
met was a small vessel belonging to Aden ; the vessel was 
Moorish, and the owners were Moorish merchants, but the 
master was an Englishman ; his name was Parker. Kidd 
forced him and a Portuguese that was called Don Antonio, 
which were all the Europeans on board, to take on with 
him ; the first he designed as a pilot, and the last as an 
interpreter. He also used the men very cruelly, causing 
them to be hoisted up by the arms, and drubbed with a 
naked cutlass, to force them to discover whether they had 
money on board, and where it lay ; but as they had neither 
gold nor silver on board, he got nothing by his cruelty; 
however, he took from them a bale of pepper, and a bale 
of coffee, and so let them go. 

A little time after he touched at Carawar, a place upon 
the same coast, where, before he arrived, thejiews of what 
he had done to the Moorish ship h-ad reached them ; Ibr 
some of the English merchants there had received an 
account of it from the owners, who corresponded with 
them ; wherefore, as soon as Kidd came in, he was sus- 
pected to be tiie person who committed this piracy ; and 
one Mr. Harvey and Mr. Mason, two of the English fac- 
tory, came on board and asked for Parker, and Antonio, 
the Portuguese ; but Kidd denied that he knew any such 
persons, having secured them both in a private place in 
the hold, where they were kept for seven or eight days, 
that is, till Kidd sailed from thence. 

However, the coast was alarmed, and a Portuguese man- 
of-war was sent out to cruise. Kidd met with her, and 
f)ught her about six hours, gallantly enough ; but finding 
her too strong to oe taken, he quitted her ; for he was 
able to run away from her when he would. Then he went 
to a place called Porca, where he watered his sliip and 
bought a numberof hogs of the natives to victual his company^ 

Soon after this, he came up with a Moorish ship, the 
master whereof was a Dutchman, called Schipper Mitchell, 
and chased her under French colors, which they observing 
hoisted French colors too; when he came up with her, he 
hailed her in French, and they having a Frenchman on 


I 


''*‘<2 THF adventures of captain ROBERT KIDD. 


answered him in the same language; upon which 
he crderccl tnem to send their bout on board ; they w'ere 
obhgea lO ao so, ana having examined who they were, 
and from whence they came, he asked the Frenchman who 
was a passenger, ii ne hao a French pass for himself ; the 
Frenchman ffuve Inm lo understand that he had. Then 
he told the Ficnchman ihai he must pass for captain, and 

by , says he, you are tire captain; the Frenchnaan 

durst not refuse doing as be would liave him. The meaning 
of this was, that lie would seize the ship as fair prize, and 
as if she had belonged to French subjects, according to a 
commission he had for that purpose ; though one would 
think, after what he had already done, he need not have 
recourse to a cpiiblile to give his action.i a colour. 

In short, he took the cargo, and sold it dome time after ; 
yet still he seemed to have some fears upon him, lest these 
proceedings should have a bad end ; tor, coming up with 
a Dutch ship some time after, when his men tliought of 
nothing but attacking her, Kidd opposed it ; upon which 
a mutiny arose, and the majority being for taking the said 
.hip, and arming themselves to man the boat to go and 
seize her, he told them, such as did, never should oorne on 
board him again ; which f)ut an end to the design, so that 
he kept company with the said ship some time, without of- 
fering her any violence. However, this dispute was the 
occasion of an accident, upon which an indictment was 
grounded against Kidd; for Moor, the gunner, being one 
day upon deck, and talking with Kidd about the said 
Dutch ship, some words arose between them, and Moor 
told Kidd, that he had ruined them all ; upon which Kidd, 
calling him a dogrtook up a bucket' and struck him with it, 
which breaking his scull, he died next day. 

But Kidd’s penitential ht did not last lo'ng ; for coasting 
:uong Malabar, he met with a great number of boats, all 

which he plundered. Upon the same coast he also fell 
in whth a Portuguese ship, which he kept possession of a 
week, and then having taken out of her some chests of 
India goods, thirty jars of butter, with some w'ax, iron and 
a hundred bags of rice, he let her go. 

IMuch about the same time he went to one of the Mala- 
bar islands for wood and water and his cooper being 


CAPTURE OF A RICH MERCHANTMAN. 17(> 

ashore, was murdered by the natives : upon which Kidd 
himself landed, aud burnt and pillaged several of theii 
houses, the peo[)le running away ; but having taken one, 
he caused him to be tied to a tree, and commanded one 
of his men to shoot him ; then putting to sea again, he 
took the greatest prize which fell into his hands while ho 
followed this trade ;'this was a Moorish ship of 400 tons, 
richly laden, named the Q,ueda Merchant, the mastei 
whereof was an Englishman, by the name of Wright ; for 
the Indians often make use of English or Dutchmen to 
command their ships, their own mariners not being so good 
artists in navigation. Kidd chased her under French col- 
ors.'and having come up with her, he ordered her to hoist 
out her boat and send on board of him, which being done, 
he told Wright he was his prisoner ; and informing himself 
concerning the said ship, he understood there were no Eu- 
ropeans on board, except two Dutch and one Frenchman, 
all the rest being Indians or Armenians, and that the Arme- 
nians were part owners of the cargo. Kidd gave the Arme- 
nians to understand, that if they would otl’er anything that 
was worth his taking for their ransom, he would hearken to 
it. Upon which, they proposed to pay him ’20,000 rupees, 
not. quite £3,000 sterling ; but Kidd judged this would be 
making a bad bargain, wlierefore he rejected it, and setting 
the crew on shore, at different places on the coast, he soon 
sold as much of tlie cargo as came to ten thousand pounds. 
With part of it he also trafficked, receiving in exchange 
provisions, or such other goods as he wanted ; by degrees 
he disposed of the whole cargo, and when the division was 
made, it came to about £200 a man ; and having reserved 
forty shares to liimself, his dividend amounted to about 
£8,000 sterling. 

The Indians along the coast came on board and traf- 
ficked with all freedom, and he punctually performed his 
bargains, tilfabout the time he was ready to sail ; and then 
thinking he should have no further occasion for them, he 
made no scruple of taking their goods and setting them on 
shore, without any payment in money or goods, which they 
little expected ; for as they had been used to deal with pi- 
rates, they always found them men of honor in the way of 
trade ; a people, enemies to deceit, and that scorned to 
ob but in their own way. 15* 


174 THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ROBERT KIDD. 

Kidd put some of his men on board the Queda Mer 
chant, and with this ship and his own sailed for Madagas- 
car. As soon as he had arrived and cast anchor, there 
came on board of him a canoe, in which were several 
Englishmeri, who had formerly been well acquainted with 
Kidd. As soon as they saw him they saluted him, and told 
him they were informed he was come to take them, and 
hang them, which would be a little unkind in such an old 
acquaintance. Kidd soon dissipated their doubts, by 
swearing he had no such design, and that he was now in 
every res{)ect their brother, and just as bad as they ; and 
calling for a cup of bomboo, drank their captain’s health. 

These rmm belonged to a pirate ship, called the Resolu- 
tion, formerly the Mocha Merchant, whereof one Capt. 
Culliford was commander, and which lay at anchor not 
far from them. Kidd went on board with them, promising 
them his friendship and assistance, and Culliford in his 
turn came on board of Kidd ; and Kidd, to testify his sin- 
cerity in iniquity, finding Culliford in want of some neces- 
saries, made him a present of an anchor and some guns, to 
fit him out for sea again. 

The Adventure galley was now so old and leaky, that 
they w'ere forced to keep two pumps continually going ; 
wdierefore Kidd shifted all the guns and tackle out of her 
into the Qiiecia Merchant, intending her for his man-of- 
w'ar ; and as he had divided the money before, he now 
made a division of the remainder of the cargo ; soon after 
which, the greatest part of the company left him, som( 
going on board Capt. Culliford, and others absconding into 
the country, so that he had not above 40 men left. 

He put to sea. and happened to touch at Amboyna, one 
of the Dutch spice islands, w^here he was told that the new's 
of his actions had reached England, and that he was ther' 
declared a pirate. 

The truth of it is, his piracies so alarmed our merchants 
that some motions were made in parliament, to inquire 
into the commission that w'as given him, and the persons 
who fitted him out. I'hese proceedings seem to lean a lit 
tie hard upon Lord Bellamont, who thought himself sc 
touched thereby, that he published a justification of him 
self in a pamphlet, after Kidd’s execution. In the mear 


KIDD AND HIS CREW ARRESTED. 


175 


time it was thought advisable, in order to stop the course 
of these piracies, to publish a proclamation, offering the 
king’s free pardon to all such pirates as should voluntarily 
surrender themselves, whatever piracies they had been 
guilty of, at any time before the last day of April, 1699 — 
that is to say, for all piracies committed eastward of the 
Cape of Good Hope, to the longitude and meridian of So- 
catora, and Cape Cormorin ; in which proclamation, Avery 
and Kidd were excepted by name. 

When Kidd left Amboyna he knew nothing of this proc- 
lamation, for certainly had he had notice of his being 
excepted in it, he would not have been so infatuated, as 
to run himself into the very jaws of danger ; but lelying 
upon his interest with the lord Bellamont, and fancying 
that a French pass or two he found on board some of the 
ships he took, would serve to countenance the matter, and 
that part of the booty he got would gain him new friends 
— I say, ail these things made him hatter himself that all 
wmuld be hushed, and that justice vvouhl .but wdnk at him. 
Wherefore he' sailed directly for Boston laden wdth booty, 
w ith a crew of swaggering companions at his heels. But 
no sooner did he show himself in Boston, than the alarm 
was given of his reappearance, and measures w^ere taken 
to arrest liim. The daring character which Kidd had ac- 
quired, however, and the desperate fellows who follow^ed 
like bull dogs at his heels, caused a little delay in hia 
arrest. He took advantage of this to bury the greater part 
of his immense treasure, which has never been found, and 
then carried a high head about the streets of Boston. He 
even attemj)ted to defend himself w hen arrested, but was 
secured and thrown into prison. Such was the formidable 
character of this pirate and his crew, that a frigate was 
sent to convey them to England for trial. 

Accordingly a sessions of admiralty being held at the 
Old Badey, in iMay 1701, Capt. Kidd, Nicholas Churchill, 
James How, Robert Lumly, William Jenkins, Gabriel LofT, 
Hugh Parrot, Richard Barlicorn, Abel Owens and Darby 
Mullins, were arraigned for piracy and robbery on the 
high seas, and all found guilty except three ; these were 
Robert Lumly, William Jenkins and Richard Barlicorn, 
who proving themselves to be apprentices to some of tha 


17G THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ROBERT KIDD. 


officers of tlie ship, and producing their indentures in court, 
were acquitted. 

The three above mentioned, though they were proved to. 
be concerned in taking and sharing the ship and goods 
mentioned in the indictment, yet, as the gentlemen of the 
l(»ng robe rightly distinguished, there was a great ditference 
bolvveen their circumstances and the rest ; lor there must 
go an intention of the mind and a freedom of the will to 
the committing an act of felony or piracy. A [lirate is not 
to be iinderslood to be under constraint, but a free agent ; 
for in this case, the bare act will not make a man guilty, 
uidess the will make it so. 

Now a servant, it is true, if he go voluntarily, and have 
his proportion, he must be accounted a pirate, lor then he 
acts upon his own accoilnt, and not by compidsion ; and 
these persons, according to the (ividence, received their 
part, but whether they accounted to their masters for their 
shares afterwards, is the matter in que.'tion, and what dis- 
tinguishes them as free agents, or men tiiat did go under 
the compulsion of their masters ; which being left to the 
consideration of the jury, they found them not (ruilty. 

Kidd was tried upon an indictment of murder also, viz. 
for killing Moor, the gunner, and found guilty of the same. 
Nicholas Churchill, and James How pleaded the king’s 
pardon, as having surrendered* themselves within the time 
limited in the proclamation, a.nd Col. bass, governor of 
West Jersey, to whom they surrendered, being in court, 
and called upon, proved the same. However, this plea 
vvas overruled by the court, because there being four com- 
missioners named in the proclamation, viz. Capt. Thomas 
Warren, Israel Hayes, Peter Delannoye, and Christopher 
Pollard, Esquires, who were appointed commissioners, and 
sent over on purpose to receive the submissions of such 
pirates as should surrender, it was adjudged no other per- 
son was (jualified to receive their surrender, and that they 
could not be entitled to the benefit of the said proclama- 
tion, because they had not in all circumstances complied 
with the conditions of it. 

Darby "Mullins urged in his defence, that he served 
under the king’s commission, and therefore could not diso- 
bey his commander without incurring great punishments 


CAPTAIN KIDD^S DEFENCE, 


177 


that whenever a ship or ships went out upon any expedi- 
tion under tlie king’s commission, the men were neve! 
allowed to call their officers to an .account, why they did 
this, or why they did that, because such a liberty would 
destroy all discipline ; that if any thing w^as do/ie which 
was unlawful, the officers were to answer it, foi the men 
did no more than their duty in obeying orders. He was 
told by the court, that acting under the commission justi- 
fied in what was lawful, but not in what was unlawful 
He answered, he stood in need of nothing to justify him 
in what was lawful, but the case of seamen must be very 
hard, if they must be brought into such danger for obeying 
the commands of their officers, and punished for not obey 
ing them ; and if they were allowed to dispute the orders, 
there could be no such thing as comnwind kept up at sea 

This seemed to be the best defence the thing could 
bear ; but his taking a share of the plun.der, the seamen s 
mutinying on board several times, and taking upon them 
to control the captain, showed there was no obedience 
paid to the commission ; and that they acted in all things 
according to the custom of pirates and freebooters, which 
weighing with the jury, they brought him in guilty witli 
the rest. 

As to Capt. Kidd’s defence, he insisted much on his 
own innocence, and the villany of his men. He said, he 
went out in a laudable employment and had no occasion, 
being then in good circumstances, to go a pirating ; that 
the men often mutinied against him, and did as they 
pleased ; that he was threatened to be shot in the cabin, 
and that ninety-five left him at one time, and set fire to 
his boat, so that he was disabled from bringing his ship 
home, or the prizes he took, to have them regularly con 
demned, which he said were taken by virtue of a commis- 
sion under the broad seal, they having French passes. 
The captain called one Col. Hewson to his reputation, who 
gave him an extraordinary character, and declared to the 
court, that he had served under his command, and been in 
two engagements with him against the French, in which 
ne fought as well as any man he ever saw ; that there 
weie only Kidd’s ship and his own against Monsieur du 
Cass, who commanded a squadron of six sad, and they got 


178 THE ADVENTUUES OF CAPTAIN ROBERT KIDD. 

the better of him. But this being several years before the 
facts mentioned in the indictment were committed, proved 
uf no manner of service, to the prisoner on his trial. 

As to the friendship shown to Cullilbrd, a notorious 
pirate, Kidd denied, and said, he intended to have taken 
liim, but his men being a parcel of rogues and villains 
refused to stand by him, and several of them ran away 
from his ship to the said pirate. But the evidence being 
full and particular against him, he was found guilty as 
before mentioned. 

When Kidd was asked what he had to say why sen- 
tence should not pass against him, he answered, that he 
had nothing to say, but that he had been sworn against by 
perjured and wicked jyeople. And when sentence was pro- 
nounced, he said, my hard, it is a very hard sentence. For 
my part, I am the most innocent person of them all, only 1 
have been sworn against by perjured persons. 

\\’herefore about a week after, Capt. Kidd, Nicholas 
Churchill, James How, Gabriel Loff, Hugh Parrot, Abel 
Owen, and Darby ^lullins, were executed at Execution 
Dock, and afterwards hung up in chains, at some distance 
from each other, down the river, wdiere their bodies hung 
exposed for many years. 

Kidd died hard; for the • rope with w hich he w'as* first 
tied up broke with his weight and he tumbled to the 
ground. He w-as tied up a second time, and more effect- 
ually. Hence came the story of Kidd’s being tw^ice hung. 

Such is Captain Kidd’s true history ; but it has given 
birth to an innumerable progeny of traditions. The report 
of his having buried great treasures of gold and silver 
which he actually did before his arrest, set the brains of 
all the good peo|)le along the coast in a ferment. There 
were rumors on rumors of great sums of money found here 
and there, sometimes in one part of the country sometimes 
in another; of coins wdth Moorish inscriptions, doubtless 
the spoils of his eastern prizes. 

. Some reported the treasure to have been buried in soli- 
tary, unsettled places about Plymouth and Cape Cod; but 
by degrees, various other parts, not only on the eastern 
coast but along the shores of the Sound, and even Manhat- 
tan and Long Island were gilded by these rumors. In fact 


attempts made to discover kidd’s trea'sures. 179 

tlie vigoirous measures of Lord Bellamont had spread sud- 
den consternation among the pirates in every part of the 
f)rovinces ; they had secreted their money and jewels in 
loneiv out-of-the-way places, about the wild shores of the 
sea coast, and dispersed themselves over the country. The 
hand of justice prevented many of them from ever return- 
ing to regain their buried treasures, which remain to this 
day thus secreted, and are irrecoverably lost. This is the 
cause of those frequent reports of trees and rocks bearing 
mysterious marks, supposed to indicate the spots wliere 
treasure lay hidden ; and many have been the ransackings 
after the pirates’ booty. A rocky place on the shores of 
Long Island, called Kidd’s Ledge, has received great 
attention from the money diggers ; but they have not 
vet discovered any treasures. 


THE BLOODY CAREER AND EXECUTION OF 


VINCENT BENAVIDES 

▲ PIRATE ON TiIE WEST COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA. 


Vincent Benavides was the son of the gaoler of Quin- 
hue in the district of Conception. He was a man of fero- 
cious manners, and had been guilty of several murders. 
Upon the breaking out of the revolutionary war, lie entered 
the patriot army as a private soldier ; and was a serjeant 
of grenadiers at the time of the first Chilian revolution, 
lie, however, deserted to the Spaniards, and was taken 
prisoner in their servj'‘.e, when they sustained, on the plains 
of Maypo, on the 5lh >f April, 1818, that deleat whicii de- 
cided tlieir fortunes in that part of America, and securerl 
the independence of Chili. Benayides, his brother, and 
some other traitors to the Chilian cause, were sentenced to 
death, and brought forth in the Plaza, or pul)iic square of 
Santiago, in order to be shot. Benavides, though terribly 
wounded by the discharge, was not killed , but he had the 
presence of mind to counterfeit death in so perfect a man- 
ner, that the imposture was not suspected. The bodies of 
the traitors were not burled, but dragged away to a dis- 
tance, and there left to be devoured by the galhnazos or 
vultures. The serjeant who had the superintendence of 
this part of the ceremony, liad a personal hatred to Bena- 
vides, on account of that person having murdered some of 
his lelalions; and, to gratify his revenge, he drew his 
sword, and gave the dead body, (as he thought,) a severe 
gash in the side, as they were dragging it along. The 
resolute Benavides had fortitude to bear this also, without 
flinching or even showing the least indication of life ; and 
cue cannot help regretting that so determined a power of 
endurance had not been turned to a better purpose. 


SINGULAR RECOVERY OF BENAVIDES. 


181 


Benavides lay like a dead man, in the heap of carcasses, 
until it became dark ; and then, pierced with shot, and 
gashed by the sword as he was, he crawled to a neighbor 
ing cottage, the inhabitants of which received him with the 
greatest kindness, and attended him with the greatest 
jare. 

The daring ruffian, who knew the value of his own tal- 
ents and courage, being aware that General San Martin 
was planning the expedition to Peru, a service in which 
there would be much of desperation and danger, sent w'ord 
to the General that he was alive, and invited him to a 
secret conference at midnight, in the same Plaza in which 
it was believed Benavides had been shot. The signal 
agreed upon, was, that they should strike fire three times 
with their flints, as that was not likely to be answered by 
any but the proper party, and yet was not calculated to 
awaken suspicion. 

San Martin, alone, and provided witb a brace of pistols, 
met the desperado ; and after a Png conference, it was 
agreed that Benavides should, in the mean time, go out 
against the Araucan Indians ; but that he should hold him- 
self in readiness to proceed to Peru, when the expedition 
suited. 

Having procured the requisite passports, he proceeded 
to Chili, where, having again diverted the Chilians, he 
succeeded in persuading the commander of the Spanish 
troops, that he had force sufficient to carry on the war 
against Chili; and the commander in consequence retired 
to Valdivia, and left Benavides commander of the whole 
frontier on the Biobio. 

Having thus cleared the coast of the Spanish commander, 
he went over to the Araucans, or rather, he formed a band 
of armed robbers, who committed every cruelty, and were 
guilty of every perfidy in the south of Chili. Wherever 
Benavides came, his footsteps were marked with blood, 
and the old men, the women, and the children, were 
butchered lest they should give notice of his mo ions. 

When he had rendered himself formidable by land, he 
resolved to be equally powerful upon the sea. He equip- 
ped a corsair, with instructions to capture the vessels of all 
nations ; and as Araucan is directly opposite the island of 
16 


182 


THE HISTORY OF VINCENT BENAVIDES. 


Santa Maria, where vessels put in for refreshment, after 
having doubled Cape Horn, his situation was well adapted 
for his purpose. lie was but too successful. The first of 
his prizes was the American ship Hero, which he took by 
surprise in the night; the second, was the Herculia, a brig 
belonging to the same country. While the unconscious 
crew were proceeding, as usual, to catch seals on this 
island, lying about three leagues from the main land of 
Arauca, an armed body of m*^ u rushed from the woods, 
and overpowering them, tied » leir hands behind them, and 
left them under a guard on the beach. These were no 
other than the pirates, who i»ow took the Herculia’s ov/n 
boats, and going on board, surprised the captain and four 
of his crew, » io had remained to take care of the brig ;. 
and having brought off the prisoners from the beach, threw 
them ail ii/o the hold, closing the hatches over them, 
'i’hey then tripped the vessel’s anchor, and sailing over in 
triumph to Arauca, were received by Benavides, with ? 
salute of musketry fired under the Spanish flag, which it 
was their chiefs’ pleasure to hoist on that day. In the 
course of the next night, Benavides ordered the captain 
and his crew to be removed to a house on shore, at some 
distance from the town ; then taking them out, one by one, 
he stripped and pillaged them of all they possessed, threat- 
ening them the whole time with drawn swords and loaded 
muskets. Next morning he paid the prisoners a visit and 
ordered them to the capital, called together the principal 
people of the town, and desired each to select one as a 
seivant. The captain and four others not hajjpening to 
please the fancy of any one, Benavides, after saying he 
would himself take charge of the captain, gave directions, 
on pain of instant death, that some one should hold them- 
selves responsible for the other prisoners. Some days 
after this they were called together, and required to serve 
as soldiers in the pirates army ; an order to which they 
consent! d, knowing well by what they had already seen, 
that the consequence of refusal would be fatal. 

Bena/ides, though unquestionably a ferocious savage 
was, nevertheless, a man of resource, full of activity, anc 
of considerable energy of character. He converted the 
whale spears and harpoons into lances for his cavalry, ana 


THE EQUIPMENT OF BENAVIDES ARMY. 183 

nalberts for his sergeants ; and out of the sails he made 
trovvsers for half of his army ; the carpenters he set to 
work making baggage carts and rep^airing his boats ; the 
armourers he kept perpetually at work, mending muskets, 
and making pikes ; managing in this way, to turn the skill 
of every one of his prisoners to some useful account. He 
treated the officers, too, not unkindly, allowed them to live 
in his house, and was very anxious on all occasions, to 
have ffieir advice respecting the equipment of his troops. 

Upon one occasion, when walking with the captain of 
the Herculia, he remarked, that his army was now almost 
complete in every respect, except in one essential particu- 
lar , and it cut him, he said to the soul, to think of such a 
deficiency; he had no trumpets for his cavalry, and added, 
that it was utterly impossible to make the fellows believe 
themselves dragoons, unless they heard a blast in their ears 
at every turn ; and neither men nor horses would ever do 
their duty .properly, if not roused to it by the sound of a 
trumpet ; in short he declared, some device must be hit 
upon to supply this equipment. The captain, willing to 
ingratiate himself with the pirate, after a little reflection, 
suggested to him, that trumpets might easily be made of 
copper sheets on the bottoms of the vessels he had taken. 
“Very true,’’ cried the delighted chief, “how came I not 
to think of that before ? ” Instantly all hands were em- 
ployed in ripping off the copper, and the armorers being 
set to work under his personal superintendence, the whole 
camp, before night, resounded with the warlike blasts of 
the cavalry. 

The captain of the ship, who had given him the brilliant 
idea of the copper trumpets, had by these means, so far 
won upon his good will and confidence, as to be allowed 
a considerable range to walk on. He of course, was 
always looking out for some plan of escape, and at length 
an opportunity occurring, he, with the mate of the Ocean, 
and nine of his crew, seized two whale boats, imprudently 
left on the banks of the river, and rowed off. Before quit- 
ting the shore, they took the precaution of staving all the 
other boats, to prevent pursuit, and accordingly, though 
their escape was immediately discovered, they succeeded 
in getting so much the start of the people whom Benavides 


184 


THE HISTORY OF VINCENT BENAVIDES. 


sent in pursuit of them, that they reached St. Mary’s Is- 
land in safety. Mere they caught several seals upon which 
they subsisted very miserably till they reached Valparaiso. 
It was in consequence of their report of Benavides pro- 
ceedings made to Sir Thomas Hardy, the commander- in- 
chief, that he deemed it proper to send a shij) to rescue if 
possible, the remaining unfortunate captives at Arauca. 

Benavides having manned the Herculia, it suited the 
mate, (the captain and crew being detained as hostages,) 
to sail with’ the brig to Chili, and seek aid from the Spanish 
governor. . The Hercuha returned with a twenty-four 
pounder, two field-pieces, eleven Spanish officers, and 
twenty soldiers, together with the most flattering letters 
and congratulations to the worthy ally of his Most Catholic 
Majesty. Soon after this he captured the Perseverance, 
English whaler, and the American brig Ocean, bound for 
jJLima, with several thousand stand of arms on board. The 
captain of the Herculia, with the mate of the Ocean, and 
several men, after suffering great hardships, landed at Val- 
paraiso, and gave notice of the proceedings of Benavides ; 
and in consequence. Sir Thomas Hardy directed Captain 
Hall to proceed to Arauca with the convoy, to set the cap- 
tives free, if possible. 

It was for the accomplishment of this service that Capt. 
Hall sailed from Valparaiso ; and he called at Conception 
on his. way, in order to glean information respecting the 
pirate. Here the Captain ascertained that Benavides was 
between two considerable bodies of Chilian fbrce, on the 
Chilian side of the Biobio, and one of those bodies between 
him and the river. 

Having to wait tw'o days at Conception for information, 
Captain Hall occupied them in observing the place ; the 
country he describes as green and fertile, and having none 
of the dry and desert character of the environs of Valparai- 
so. Abundance of vegetables, wood, and also coals, are 
found on the shores of the bay. 

On the 12th of October, the captain heard of the defeat 
of Benavides, and his flight, alone, across the Biobio into 
the Araucan country ; and also that two of the Americans 
whom he had taken with him had made their escape, and 
were on board the Chacabuco. As these were the only 


GRAND CAROUSAL. 


185 


persons who could give Captain Hall information respect- 
ing the prisoners of whom he was in quest, he set out in 
search of the vessel, and after two days’ search, found her 
at anchor near the island of Mocha. From thence he 
learned that the captain of the Ocean, with several English 
and American seamen had been left at Arauca, when Ben- 
avides went on his expedition, and he sailed for that place 
immediately. 

He was too late, however ; the Chilian forces had 
already made a successful attack, and the Indians had fled, 
setting fire to the town and the ships. The Indians, who 
were in league with the Chilians, were every way as wild 
as those who arrayed themselves under Benavides. Capt. 
Hall, upon his return to Conception, though dissuaded from 
it by the governor, visited the Indian encampment. 

When the captain and his associates entered the court- 
yard, they observed a party seated on the ground, round a 
great tub of wine, who hailed their entrance with loud<^ 
shouts, or: rather yells, and boistergusly demanded their 
business ; to all appearance very little pleased with the in 
terruption. The interpreter became alarmed, and wished 
them to retire ; but this the captain thought imprudent, as 
each man had his long spear close at hand, resting against 
the eaves of the house. Had they attempted to escape 
they must have been taken, and possibly sacrificed, by 
these drunken savages. As their best chance seemed to 
lie in treating them without any show of distrust, they ad- 
vanced to the circle with a good humored confidence, 
which appeased them considerably. One of the party rose 
and embraced them in the Indian fashion, which they had 
learned from the gentlemen who had been prisoners with 
Benavides. After this ceremony they roared out to them 
to sit down on the ground, and with the most boisterous 
hospitality, insisted on their drinking with them ; a request 
which they cheerfully complied with. Their anger soon 
vanished, and was succeeded by mirth and satisfaction, 
which speedily became as outrageous as their displeasure 
had been at first. Seizing a favorable opportunity. Cap- 
tain Hall stated his wish to have an interview with their 
chief, upon which a message was sent to him ; but he did 
not think fit to show himself for a considerable time, during 

16 =^ N 


186 THE HISTORY OY VINCENT BENAVIDES. 

which they remained with the party round the tub, who 
continued swilling their wine like so many hogs. Theii 
heads soon became allecied, and their obstreperous mirth 
increasing e\ery minute, the situation of the strangers 
became by no means agreeable. • ' 

At length Peneleo’s door opened, and the chief made j 
his appe^irance ; he did not condescend, however, to cross ] 
the threshhold, but leaned against the door post to prevent 
falling, being by some degrees more drunk than any of his 
people.' A more finished picture of a savage cannot be 
conceived. He was a tall, broad shouldered man ; with a 
prodigiously large head, and a square-shaped bloated face, 
from which peeped out two very small eyes, partly hid by 
an immense superfluity of black, coarse, oily, straight hair, 
covering his cheeks, hanging over his shoulders, and ren- 
dering his head somewhat the shape and size of a bee-hive. 
Over his shoulders was thrown a poncho of coarse blanket 
stuflf. He received them very gruffly, and appeared irrita- 
ted and sulky at having been disturbed ; he was still more 
offended when he learned that they wished to see his cap 
live. They in vain endeavored to explain their real views, 
but he grunted out his answer in a tone and manner which 
showed them plainly that he neither did, nor wished to 
understand them. 

Whilst in conversation with Peneleo, they stole an occa- 
sional glance at his apartment. By the side of the firei 
burning in the middle of the floor, was seated a young In | 
dian woman, with long black hair reaching to the ground ; ) 
this, they conceived, could be no other than one of the un 
fortunate persons they were in search of ; and they were 
somewhat disappointed to observe, that the lady was neithefl‘ 
in tears, nor apparently very miserable; they therefore] 
came aw'ay impressed with the unsentimental idea, tha | 
the amiable Peneleo had already made some impression on i 
her young heart. 

Twc Indians, wdio were not so drunk as the rest, follow- ; 
ed them to the outside of the court, and told them that i 
several foreigners had been taken by the Chilians in the 
battle near Chilian, and were now safe. The intrepreter | 
hinted to them that this was probably invented by these i 
cunning people, on hearing 'their questions in the court : 


THE ARREST OF BENAVIDES. 


187 


but he advised them, as a matter of policy,* to give them 
each a piece of money, and to get away as far as tliey 
could. 

Captain Hall returned to Conception on the 23d of Oc- 
tober, reached Vajparaiso on the 26th, and in two weeks 
thereafter, the men of whom he was in search, made their 
appearance. 

The bloody career of Benavides now drew near to a 
c ose. The defeat on the Chilian side of the Biobio, and 
the burning of Arauca with the loss of his vessels, he 
never recovered. At length, in the end of December 1821, 
discovering the miserable state to which he was reduced, 
he entreated the Intendant of Conception, that he might 
be received on giving himself up along with his partisans. 
This generous chief accepted his offer, and informed the 
supreme government ; but in the meantime Benavides em- 
barked in a launch, at the mouth of the river Lebo, and 
fled, with the intention of joining a division of the enemy’s 
army, which he supposed to be at some one of the ports 
on the south coast of Peru. It was indeed absurd to ex 
pect any good faith from such an intriguer ; for in his 
letters at this time, he offered his services to Chili and 
promised fidelity, while his real intention was still to follow 
the enemy. He finally left the unhappy province of Con- 
ception, the theatre of so many miserable scenes, over- 
whelmed with the misery which he had caused, without 
ever recollecting that it was in that province that he had 
first drawn his breath. 

His despair in the boat made his conduct insupportable 
to those wi\o accompanied him, and they rejoiced when 
they were obliged to put into the harbor of Topocalma in 
search of water of which they had run short. He was now 
arrested by some patriotic individuals. From the notori- 
ous nature of his crimes, alone, even the most impartial 
stranger would have condemned him to the last punish- 
ment ; but the supreme government wished to hear what 
he had to say fc’* himself, and ordered him to be tried 
according to the lawo. It appearing on his trial that he 
had placed himself beyond the laws of society, such pun- 
ishment was awarded him as any one of his crimes deserv- 
ed. As a pirate, he merited death, and as a destroyer of 


188 


THE HISTORY OF VINCENT BENAVIDES. 


whole towns, it became necessary to put him to death in 
such a manner as might satisty outraged humanity, and 
terrify others who sliould dare to imitate him. In pursu- 
ance of the sentence passed upon him, he was dragged Irom 
the prison in a pannier tied to the tail of a mule, and was 
hanged in the great s(]uare ; his head and hands were af- 
ter\°ard3 cut oH', in order to their being placed upon high 
poles, to point out the places of his horrid crimes, Santa 
Juoiia, Tarpellanca and Arauca. 



The head of Benevides stuck on a pole. p. 188 . 





THE LIFE OF 


CAPTAIN DAVIS; 

With an account of his surprising the Fort at Gambia, 


Davis was born in Monmouthshire, and, from a boy, 
trained to the sea. Ilis last voyage from England was in 
the sloop Cadogan from Bristol, in the character of chief 
mate. This vessel was captured by the pirate England, 
upon the Guinea coast, whose companions plundered the 
crew, and murdered the captain, as is related in England’s 
life. 

Upon the death of Captain Skinner, Davis pretended 
that he was urged by England to become a pirate, but that 
he resolutely refused. He added, that England, pleased 
with his conduct, had made him captain in room of Skinner, 
giving him a sealed paper, Which he was not to open until 
he was in a certain latitude, and then expressly to follow 
the given directions. When he arrived in the appointed 
place, he collected the whole crew, and solemnly read his 
sealed instructions, which contained a generous grant of 
the ship and all her stores to Davis and his crew, requesting 
them to go to Brazil, and dispose of the cargo to the best 
advantage, and make an equal division of the money. 

Davis then commanded the crew to signify whether they 
were inclined to follow that mode of life, w'hen, to his 
astonishment and chagrin, the majority positively refused. 
Then, in a transport of rage, he desired them to go where 
they would. 

Knowing that part of the cargo was consigned to mer* 
^ chants in Barbadoes, they directed their course to that 
place. When arrived there, they informed the merchants 
of the unfortunate death of Skinner, and of the proposal 


I9"2 THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN DAVIS.' 

which had been made to iJiem. Davis was accordinglt 
seized, and committed to pcison, but he having never been 
in the pirate service, nothing could be proved to condemn 
hhn, and he was discharged without a trial. Convinced 
tliat he could never hope lor employmer.t in that quarlc^r 
after this detection, he went to the island of Providence, 
which he knew to be a rendezvous for pirates. Upon his 
arrival there, he was grievously disappointed, because tlie 
pirates who frequented that place had just accepted of his 
majesty’s pardon, and had surrendered. 

Captain Rodgers having equipped two sloops for trade, 
Davis obtained employment in one of these, called the Buck. 
They were laden with Eurojjean goods to a considerable 
value, which they were to sell or exchange with the French 
and Spanish. They first touched at the island of Mariin- 
i -lie, belonging to the French, and Davis knowing that many 
of the men were formerly in the pirate service, enticed 
them to seize the master, and to run off uith the sloop. 
When they had effected their purpc»se, they hailed the 
other ship, in which they knew that there were many hands . 
ripe for rebtdlion, and coming to, the greater part joined 
Davis. Those who did not choose to adhere to them were 
allowed to remain in the other sloop, and continue their 
course, after Davis had pillaged her of what things he 

possession of the vessel and stores and goods, a 
large bowl of punch was made ; under its exhilarating 
influence, it was proposed to choose a commander, and to 
f irm their future mode o.f policy. The election was soon 
over, and a large majority of legal votes were in favor of' 
Davis, and no scrutiny demanded, Davis was declared duly 
elected. He then drew up a code of laws, to which he 
himself swore, and requir^ the same bond of alliance 
from all the rest of tlie crew. He then addressed them in 
a short and appropriate speech, the substance of which 
v as, a proclamation of war with tlie whole world. 

They next consulted, what part would be most convc n- 
ient to clean the vessel, and it was resolved to repair to 
Coxon's Hole, at the east end of the island of Cuba, 
where lliey could remain in perfect security, as the entrance 
was so narrow that one ship could keep out a hundred. 


pleased. 
In fu 


SUCCESSFUL STRATAGEM. 


193 


They, however, had no small difficulty in cleaning their 
vessel, as there was no carpenter among them. They per- 
formed that laborious task in the best manner they could, » 
and then made to the north side of Hispaniola. The first 
sail they met with was a French ship of twelve guns, which 
they captured ; and while they were plundering her, another 
appeared in view. Enquiring of the Frenchmen, they 
learned that she was a ship of twenty-four guns and sixty 
men. Davis proposed to his crew to attack her, assuring 
them that she would prove a rich prize. This appeared to 
the crew such a hazardous enterprise, that they were rather 
adverse to the measure. But he acquainted them that he 
had conceived a stratagem that he was confident would 
succeed ; they might, therefore, safely leave the matter to 
his management. He then commenced chase, and ordered 
his prize to do the same. Being a better sailer, he soon 
came up with the enemy, and showed his black colors. 
With no small surprise at his insolence in coming so near 
them, they commanded him to strike. He replied, that he 
was disposed to give them employment until his companion 
came up, who was able to contend with them ; meanwhile 
assuring them that, if they did not strike to him, it would 
most certainly fare the worse with them : then giving them 
a broariside, he received the same in return. 

When the other pirate ship drew near, they, according 
to the directions of Davis, appeared upon deck in white 
shirts, which making an appearance of numbers, the 
Frenchman was intimidated, and struck. Davis ordered 
the captain with twenty of his men to come on board, and 
they were all put in irons except the captain. He then 
despatched four of his men to the other ship, and calling 
aloud to them, desired that his compliments, should be 
given to the captain, with a request to send a sufficient 
number of hands to go on board their new prize, to see 
v\ hat they had got in her. At the same time, he gave them 
a written paper with their proper instructions, even to nail 
up the small guns, to take out all the arms and powder, 
and to go every man on board the new prize. \^en his 
men were on board her, he ordered the greater part of the 
prisoners to be removed into the empty vessels, and by this 
means secured himself from any attempt to recover their 
ship. 17 


194 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN DAVIS. 


During three days, these three vessels sailed in company, 
but finding tliat his late prize was a heavy sailer, he emp- 
t^Cvd her of every ti ling that he stood in need of, and then 
restored her to the captain with all his men. The French 
capiain was so much enraged at being thus miserably 
decviived, that,* upon the discovery of the stratagem, he 
woiud have thrown himself overboard, had not his men 
prove nied him. 

Captain Davis then formed the resolution of parting with 
the other prize-ship also, and soon afterwards steered 
northward, and took a Spanish sloop. He next directed 
his course towards the western islands, and from Cape da 
Verd isla ids cast anchor at St. Nicholas, and hoisted Eng- 
lish colors. The Portuguese supposed that he was a pri 
vateer, and Davis going on shore was hospitably received, 
and they traded with him for such articles as they found 
most advantageous. He remained here five weeks, and h& 
and half of his crew visited the principal town of the 
island. Davis, from his appearing in the dress of a gen- 
tleman, was greatly caressed by the Portuguese, and noth- 
ing was spared to entertain and render him and his men 
happy. Having amused themselves during a week, they 
returned to the ship, and allowed the other half of the 
crew to visit the capital, and enjoy themselves in like man 
ner. Upon their return, they cleaned their ship and put 
to sea, but four of the men were so captivated with the 
ladies and the luxuries of the place, that they remained in 
the island, and one of them married and settled there. 

Davis now sailed for Bonavista, and perceiving nothing 
in that harbor steered for the Isle of May. Arrived there, 
he found several vessels in the harbor, and plundered them 
of whatever he found necessary. He also received a con- 
siderable reinforcement of men, the greater part of whom 
entered willingly into the piratical service. He likewise 
made free with one of the ships, equipped her for his own 
purpose, and called her the King James. Davis next pro- 
ceeded to St. Jago to take in water. Davis, with some 
others going on shore to seek water, the governor came to 
inquire who they were, and expressed his suspicion of their 
being pirates. Upon this, Davis seemed highly affronted, 
and expressed his displeasure in the most polite but deter- 


THE PIRATES SEIZE THE fORT. 


195 


iHinecl manner. He, however, hastened on board, informed 
his men, and suggested the possibility of surprising the 
fort during the night. Accordingly, all his men being well 
armed, they advanced to the assault; and, from the care- 
lessness of the guards, they were in the garrison before the 
inliabitants were alarmed. Upon the discovery of their 
danger, they took shelter in the governor’s house, and for- 
tifioil it against the pirates : but the latter throwing in 
some grando shells, ruined the furniture, and killed several 
people. 

The alarm was circulated in the morning, and the 
country assembled to attack them ; but, unwilling to stand 
a siege, the pirates dismounted the guns, pillaged the fort, 
and tied to their ships. 

When at sea, they mustered their hands, and found that 
they were seventy strong. They then consulted anaong 
themselves what course they should steer, and were divided 
in opinion ; but by a majority it was carried to sail for 
Gambia, on the coast of Guinea. Of this opinion was the 
captain, who having been employed in that trade, was 
acquainted with the coast ; and informed his companions, 
that there was always a large quantity of money deposited 
in that castle, and he was confident, if the matter was 
entrusted to him, he should successfully storm that fort. 
From their experience of his former prudence and courage, 
they cheerfully submitted to his direction, in the full assur- 
ance of success. 

Arrived at Gambia, he ordered all his men below, except 
just so many as were necessary to work the vessel, that 
those from the fort, seeing so few hands, might have no 
suspicion that she was any other than a trading vessel. 
He then ran under the fort and cast anchor, and having 
ordered out the boat, manned with six men indifferently 
dressed, he, with the master and doctor, dressed themselves 
like gentlemen, in order that the one* party might look like 
foremastmen, and the other* like mercliants. In row'ing 
ashore, lie instructed his men tvhal to say if any questions 
were put to them by the garrison. 

On reaching land, the party was conducted by a file of 
mus(}ueteers into tlie fort, and kindly received by the gov- 
ernor, who enquired what they were, and whence they 


196 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN DAVIS. 


nme ? They replied, that they were from Liverpool, and 
L 4ind for the river Senegal, to trade for gum and ele- 
phants teeth ; but that they were chased on that coast by 
two French men-of-war, and narrowly escaped being taken. 
“We were now disposed,” continued Davis, “to make the 
best of our voyage, and would willingly trade here for 
slaves.” The j^overnor then inquired what were the prin- 
cipal articles of their cargo. They replied, that they were 
iron and plate, which were necessary articles in that place. 
The governor then s'aid, that he would give them slaves for 
all their cargo ; and asked if they had any European liquor 
on board. They answered, that they had a little for their 
own use, but that he should have a hamper of it. He then 
treated them with the greatest civility, and desired them 
all to dine with him. Davis answered, that as he was 
commander of the vessel, it would be necessary for him to 
go down to see if she was properly moored, and to give 
some other directions ; but that these gentlemen might 
stay, and he would return before dinner, and bring the 
hamper with him. 

While in the fort, his eyes were keenly employed to 
discover the position of the arms, and how the fort might 
most successfully be surprised. He discovered that there 
was a sentry standing near a guard-house, in which there 
were a quantity of arms heaped up in a corner, and that a 
considerable number of sm^ll arms were in the governor’s 
hall. When he v/ent on board, he ordered some hands on 
board a sloop lying at anchor, lest, hearing any Bustle they 
should come to the aid of the castle ; then desiring his men 
to avoid too much liquor, and to be ready when he should 
hoist the flag from the walls, to come to his assistance, he 
proceeded to the castle. 

Plaving taken these precautions and formed these ar- 
rangements, he ordered every man who was to accompany 
him to arm himself with two pair of pistols, which he 
himself also did, concealed under their clothes. He then 
directed them to go into the guard-room, and fall into 
conversation, and immediately upon his firing a pistol out 
of the governor’s window, to shut the men up, and secure 
the arms in the guard-room 


DAVIs’s TREACHERY TO THE GOVERNOR. 197 

When Davis arrived, dinner not being ready, the gover- 
nor proposed that they should pass the time in making a 
bowl of’ punch. Davis’s boatswain attending him, had an 
opportunity of visiting all parts of the house, and observing 
their strength. He whispered his intelligence to his master, 
who being surrounded by his own friends, and seeing the 
governor unattended by any of his retinue, presented a 
pistol to the breast of the latter, informing him that he was 
a dead man, unless he should surrender the fort and all its 
riches. The governor, thus taken by surprise, was com- 
pelled to submit ; for Davis took down all the pistols that 
hung in the hall, and loaded them. He then fired his 
pistol out of the window. His men flew like lions, pre- 
sented their pistols to the soldiers, and while some carried 
out the arms, the rest secured the military, and shut them 
all up in the guard-house, placing a guard on the door. 
Then one of them struck the union flag on the top of the 
castle, which the men from the vessel perceiving, rushed 
to the combat, and in an instant were in possession of the 
castle, without tumult or bloodshed. 

Davis then harrangued the soldiers, many of whom 
enlisted with him ; and those who declined, he put on 
board the small ships, and to prevent the necessity of a 
guard, or the possibility of escape, carried off the sails, 
rigging and cables. 

That day being spent in feasting and rejoicing, castle 
saluting the ship, and the ship the castle, on the .lay fol- 
lowing they proceeded to examine the contents of their 
prize. They, however, were greatly disappointed in their 
expectations, a large sunl of money having been sent off a 
few days before. But they found money to the amount of 
about two thousand pounds in gold, and many valuable 
articles of different kinds. They carried on board their 
vessel whatever they deemed useful, gave several articles to 
the captain and crew of the small vessel, and allowed them 
tc depart, while they dismounted the guns, and demolished 
the fortifications. 

After doing all the mischief that their vicious minds 
could possibly devise, they weighed anchor ; but in the 
mean time, perceiving a sail bearing towards them with afl 
possible speed, they hastened to prepare for her reception, 

17* 


198 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN DAVIS. 


and made towards her. Upon her near approach they 
discovered that she was a French pirate of fourteen guns 
and sixty-four men, the one half French, and the other half 
negroes. 

The Frenchman was in high expectation of a rich prize, 
but w'hen he came nearer, he suspected, from the number 
of her guns and men, that she was a small English man- 
of-war; he determined, notwithstanding, upon the bold 
attempt of boarding her, and immediately fired a gun, and 
hoisted his black colors : Davis immediately returned the 
compliment. The Frenchman was h ghly gratified at this 
discovery ; 'both hoisted out their boats, and congratulated 
each other. Mutual civilities and good offices passed, and 
the French captain proposed to Davis to sail down the 
coast with him, in order to look out for a better ship, 
assuring him that the very first that could be captured 
should be his, as he was always willing to encourage an 
industrious brother. 

They first touched at Sierra Leone, where they espied a 
large vessel, and Davis being the swifter sailer, came first 
up with him. He was not a little surprised that she did 
not endeavor to make off, and began to suspect her 
strength. When he came alongside of her, she fired a 
whole broadside, and hoisted black colors. Davis did the 
same, and fired a gun to leeward. The satisfaction of 
these brothers in iniquity w'as mutual, at having thus 
acquired so much additional strength and ability to under- 
take more formidable adventures. Two days were de- 
voted to mirth and song, and upon the third, Davis and 
Cochlyn, the captain of the new confederate, agreed to go 
in the French pirate ship to attack the fort. When they 
approached, the men in the fort, apprehensive of their 
character and intentions, fired all the guns upon them at 
once. The ship returned the fire, and afforded employ- 
ment until the other two ships arrived, when the men in 
the fort seeing such a number on board, lost courage, and 
abandoned the fort to the mercy of the robbers. 

They took possession, remained there seven weeks, and 
cleaned their vessels. They then called a council of war, 
to deliberate concerning future undertakings, when it was 
resolved to sail down the coast in company ; and, for the 


DAVIS CHOSEN COMMODORE. 


199 


greater regularity and grandeur, Davis was chosen Com- 
modore. That dangerous enemy>, strong drink, had well 
nigh, however, sown the seeds of discord among these 
atfectionate brethren.^ But Davis, alike prepared for coun- 
cil or for war, addressed them to the following purport : 
“Hear ye, you Cochlyn and La Boise, (which was the 
name of the French captain) I find, by strengthening you, 
I have put a rod into your hands to whip myself ; but 1 am 
still able to deal with you both: however, since we met in 
love, let us part in love ; for I find that three of a trade 
can never agree long together.” Upon this, the other two 
went on board of their respective ships, and steered diflfer- 
ent courses. 

Davis held down the coast, and reaching Cape Appoloni.a 
he captured three vessels, two English and one Scottish, 
plundered them, and allowed them to proceed. In five 
days after he met with a Dutchman of thirty guns and 
ninety men. She gave Davis a broadside, and killed nine 
of his men ; a desperate engagement ensued, which con- 
linued from one o’clock at noon until nine next morning, 
when the Dutchman struck. 

. Davis equipped her for the pirate service, and called her 
“The Rover.” With his two ships he sailed for the bay 
of Anamaboa, which he entered about noon, <*nd took 
several vessels which were there waiting to take in negroes, 
gold, and elephants’ teeth. Davis made a present of one 
of these vessels to the Dutch captain and his crew, and 
a. lowed them to go in quest of their fortune. When the 
fort had intelligence that they were pirates, they fired at 
them, but without any eflfect ; Davis fired also, and hoisted 
the black colors, but deemed it prudent to depart. 

The next day after he left Anamaboa, the man at the 
mast-head discovered a sail. It may be proper to inform 
our readers, that, according to the laws of pirates, the man 
who first discovers a vessel, is entitled to the best pair of 
pistols in the ship, and such is the honor attached to these, 
that a pair of them has been known to sell for thirty 
poundsi. 

Davis pursued that vessel, which, being between h’m and 
the shore, labored hard to run aground. Davis perceiving 
this, got between her and the land, and fired a broadside at 


200 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN DAVIS. 


her, when she immediately struck. She proved to be a 
very rich prize, having on board the Governor of 
with all his substance, going to Holland. There was in 
money to the amount of fifteen thousand pounds, besides 
a large quantity of merchant go#ds, and other valuable 
articles. 

Before they re(?iched the Isle of Princes, the St. James 
uprang a leak, so that the men and the valuable articles 
were removed into Davis’s own ship. When he came in 
Bight of the fort he hoisted English colors. The Portu- 
guese, seeing a large ship sailing towards the shore, sent a 
sloop to discover her character and destination. Davis 
informed them, that he was an English man-of-war, sent 
out in search of some pirates which they had heard were 
in this quarter. Upon this, he was piloted into the port, 
and anchored below the guns at the fort. The governor 
w'as happy to have Englishmen in his harbor ; and to do 
honor to Djivis, sent down a file of musqueteers to escort 
him into the fort, while Davis, the more to cover his design, 
iprdered nine men, according to the custom of the English, 
to row him on shore. 

Davis also took the opportunity of cleaning and prepar 
ing all things for renewing his operations. He, however, 
could not contentedly leave the fort, without receiving some 
of the riches of the island. He formed a scheme to ac- 
complish his purpose, and communicated the same to his 
men. His design was to make the governor a present of 
a few negroes iii return for his kindness; then to invite 
him, with a few of the principal men and friars belonging 
to the island, to dine on board his ship, and secure them 
all in irons, until each of them should give a large ransom. 
They were accordingly invited, and very readily consented 
to go : and deemed themselves honored by his attention, 
all that were invited, would certainly have gone on board. 
Fortunately however, for them, a negro, who was privy to 
the horrible plan of Davis, swam on shore during the night 
and gave information of the danger to the governor. 

The governor occupied the whole night in strengthening 
the defences and posting the men in the most advantageous 
places. Soon after day-break, the pirates, with Captain 
Davis at their head w^ere discovered landing from the 


' * * 




DAVIS KILLED. 


203 


boats ; and quickly marched across the open space toward 
tlie fort. A brisk fire was opened upon them from the fort, 
which they returned in a spirited manner. At length, a 
hand grenade, thrown from the wooden veranda of the fort 
killed three of the pirates ; but several of the Portuguese 
were killed. The veranda of the fort being of wood and 
very dry, it was set fire to by the pirates. This was a 
great advantage to the attacking party, w'ho could now 
distinguish those in the fort without their being so clearly 
seen themselves ; but at this moment Captain Davis fell, 
mortally wounded by a musket ball in his belly. The fall 
of their chief, and the determined resistance of those in 
the fort, checked the impetuosity of the assailants. They 
hesitated, and at last relreabMl, bearing away with them 
their wounded commander. The Portuguese cheered, and 
led on by the governor, now became the assailants. Still 
the pirates’ retreat was orderly ; they fired and retired 
rank behind rank successively. They kept the Portuguese 
at bay until they had arrived at the boats, when a charge 
w’as made and a severe conflict ensued. But the pirates 
had lost too many men ; and without their Captain, felt 
dispirited. As they lifted Davis into the boat in his dying 
agonies he fired his pistols at his pursuers. They now 
pulled with all their might to escape from the muskets of 
the Portuguese, who followed them along the banks of the 
river, annoying them in their retrt'.at to the vessel. And 
those on board, who expected to hoist in treasure had to 
receive naught but their wounded comrades and dead 
commander. 


<VUTIIE.\TIC HISTORY 

OF 

THE x\lALAY PI HATES 

OF THE INDIAN OCEAN, 


friiA a Narrative of the Expedition against the Inhabitants 
of (luallah Battoo, commanded by Commodore Downes. 



A GLANCE at the map of the East India Islands will 
convince us that this region of the globe must, from its 
natural configuration and locality, be peculiarly liable to 
become the seat of piracy. These islands form an immense 


THE MALAY, YOUR TRUE PIRATE. 205 

cluster, lying as if it were in the high road which connect? 
he commercial nations of Europe and Asia with each 
other, affording a hundred fastnesses from which to way 
lay the traveller. A large proportion of the population is 
at the same time confined to the coasts or the estuaries ot 
rivers; they are fishermen r^nd mariners; they are barha- 
lous and poor, therefore rapacious, faithless and sanguinary. 
These are circumstances, it must be confessed, which mili- 
tate strongly to beget a piratical character. It is not sur- 
prising, then, that Hie Malays should have been notorious 
for their depredations from our first acquaintance with 
them. 

Among the tribes of ihe Indian Islands, the most noted 
for their piracies are, of course, the most idle, and the least 
industrious, and particularly such as are unaccustomed to 
follow agriculture or trade as regular pursuits. The agri- 
cultural* tribes of Java, and many of Sumatra, never com- 
mit piracy at all ; and the most civilized inhabitants ot 
Celebes are very little addicted to this vice. 

Among the most confirmed pirates are the. true Malays, 
inhabiting the small islands about the eastern extremity of 
the straits of Malacca, and those' lying between Sumatra 
and Borneo, down to Billitin and Cavimattir. Still more 
noted than these, are the inhabitants of certain islands 
situated between Borneo and the Phillipines, of whom the 
most desperate and enterprising are the Soolos and Illa- 
noons, the former inhabiting a w’ell known group of islands 
of the same name, and the latter being one of the most 
numerous nations of the great island of Magindando. The 
depredations of the proper Malays extend from Junkceylon 
to Java, through its whole coast, as far as Gripy to Papir 
and Kritti, in Borneo and tlie western coast of Celebes. 
In another direction they infest the coasting trade of the 
Cochin Chinese and Siamese nations in the Gulf of Siam, 
finding sale for their booty, and shelter for themselves in 
the ports of Tringham, Caiautan and Sahang. The most 
noted piratical stations ot these people are the small islands 
about Lingin and Rhio, particularly Galang, Tamiang and 
Maphai. The chief of this last has seventy or eighty 
proas’ fit to undertake piratical expeditions. 

The Sooloo pirates chiefly confine their depredations to 

18 


^206 


HISTOIIY OF THF MALAY FIRATES. 


the Pljillipine Islands, which they have continued to infest, 
witli liltie interruption, for near three centuries, in open 
defiance of the Span'.sli authorities, and the numerous 
establishments maintained to check them. The piracies 
of the Illarioons, on the contrary, are widely extended, 
being carried on all the way from their native country to 
the Spice Islands, on one side, and to the Straits of Ma- 
lacca on the other. In these last, indeed, they have 
formed, for the last fevv years, two permanent establish- 
ments ; one of these situated on Sumatra, near Indragiri, 
is called Rltti, and the other a small island on the coast of 
liinga, is named Salangut. Beside.s those who are avovvea 
pirates, it ought to be particularly noticed that a great 
number of tl‘ Malayan princes must be considered as ac- 
cessories to their crimes, for they alford them protection, 
contribute to their outfit, and often share in their booty ; so 
that a piratical proa is too commonly more welcome in their 
harbours than a fair trader. 

The Malay piratical proas are from six to eight tons bur- 
den, and run from six to eight fathoms in length. They 
carry from one to two small guns, with commonly four 
swivels or rantakas to each side, and a crew of from twenty 
to thirty men. When they engage, they put up a strong 
biilwark of thick plank; the Illanoon proas are much large, 
and more formidable, and commonly carry from four to six 
guns, and a proportionable number of swivels, and have 
not unfrequently a double bulwark covered with buffalo 
hides : their crews consist of from forty to eighty men. 
Both, of course, are provided with spears, kripes, and as 
many fire arms as they can procure. I’heir modes of at- 
tack are cautious and cowardly, for plunder and not fame 
is their object. They lie concealed under the land, until 
they find a fit object and opportunity. The time chosen is 
when a vessel runs aground, or is becalmed, in the interval 
between the land and sea breezes. A vessel underway is 
seldom or never attacked. Several of the marauders attack 
(ogether, and station themselves under the bows and quar- 
ters of a ship when she has no longer steerage way, and is 
incapable of pointing her guns. The' action continues 
often for several hours, doing very little mischief ; but when 
the. crew are exhausted with the defence, or have expended 


MEANS OF DEFENCE AGAINST PIRATES. 


207 


jhei.- ammunition, the pirates take this opportunity of board- 
ing in a mass. This may suggest the best means of de- 
fence. A ship, when attacked during a calm, ought, 
perhaps, rather to stand on the defensive, and wait if 
possible the setting jn of the sea breeze, than attempt any 
active operations, which would only fatigue the crew, and 
disable them from making the necessary defence when 
boarding is attempted. Boarding netting, pikes anif^istols, 
appear to atford effectual security ; and, indeed, we con- 
ceive that a vessel thus defended by resolute crews of Eu- 
ropeans or Americans stand but little danger from any 
open attack of pirates whatsoever ; for their guns are so 
ill served, that neither the hull or the rigging of a vessel 
can receive much damage from them, however much pro- 
tracted the contest. The pirates are upon the whole ex- 
tremely impartial in the selection of their prey, making 
little choice between natives and strangers, giving always, 
however, a natural preference to the most timid, and the 
most easily overcome. 

When an expedition is undertaken by the Malay pirates, 
they range themselves under the banner of some piratical 
chief noted for his courage and conduct. The native 
prince of the place where it is prepared, supplies the ad- 
venturers with arms, ammunition and opium, and claims 
as his share of tlie ))lunder, tlie female captives, the cannon, 
and one third of all the rest of the booty. 

In Nov. 1827, a principal chief of pirates, named Sin- 
dana, made a descent upon Mamoodgoo with forty-five 
proas, burnt three-fourths of the campong, driving the 
rajah with his family among the mountains. Some scores 
of men were killed, and 300 made j^risoners, besides women 
and children to half that amount. In December following, 
when I was there, the people were slowly returning from 
die hills, but had not yet attempted to rebuild the campong, 
which lay in ashes. During my stay here (ten weeks) the 
place was visited by two other piratical chiefs, one of which 
was from Kylie, the other from Mandhaar Point under Bern 
Bowan, who appeared to have charge of the whole ; be- 
tween them they had 134 proas of all sizes. 

Among the most desperate and successful pirates of the 
present day, Raga is most distinguished. He is dreaded 


208 HISTORY OF THE MALAY PIRATES. 

by people of all denominations, and universally known as 
the prince of pirates?’ For more than seventeen years 
this man has carried on a system of piracy to an extent 
never before known ; his expeditions and enterprizes would 
fill a large volume. They have invariably lieen marked 
with singular cunning and intelligence, barbarity, and reck- 
less ina^ention to the shedding of human blood. He twis 
emissaries every where, and has intelligence of the best 
description. It was about the year 1813 Raga commenced 
operations on a large scale. In that year he cut off ihice 
English vessels, killing the captains with his own hands. 
So extensive were his depredations about that time that a 
proclamation was issued from Batavia, declaring the east 
coast of Borneo to be under strict blockade. Two Britiuh 
sloops of war secured the coast. One of which, th(? Elk 
Capt. Reynolds, was attacked during the night by Raga’s 
own proa, who unfortunately was not on board at the 
time. This proa wdiich Raga personally commanded, an 
the loss of which he frequently lamejits, carried eight guns 
<ind was full of his best men. 

An European vessel was faintly descried about three 
o’clock one foggy morning ; the rain fell in torrents ; the 
time and weather were favorable circumstances for a suf' 
prise, and the commander determined to distinguish him- 
self in the absence of the Rajah Raga, gave directions to 
close, fire the guns and board. He w^as the more confident 
of success, as the European vessel w^as observed to keep 
away out of the proper course on approaching her. On 
getting within about an hundred fathoms of the Elk they 
fired their broadside, gave a loud shout, and wdth their 
long oars pulled towards their prey. The sound of a drum 
beating to quarters no sooner struck the ear of the aston 
ished Malays than they endeavoured to get away : it w'as 
too late ; the ports were opened, and a broadside, accom 
panied with diree British cheers, gave sure indications of 
their fate. The captain hailed the Elk, and w'ould fain per- 
suade him it was a mistake. It was indeed a mistake, and 
one not to be rectified by the Malayan explanation. Tlr 
proa was sunk by repeated broadsides, and the commar. - 
ing officer refused to pick up any of the people, who, w'":-i 
the exception of five were drowned j these, after floatin,^ 


MALAYS^ MANNER OF ATTACK. 


209 


four days on some spars, were picked up by a Pcrgottaii 
proa, fTiid told the stoiy to Raga, wlio swore anew destruc 
tioii to every European he sliould henceforth take. Tliis 
desperado iias for upwards of seventeen years been the 
terrror of the Straits of Macassar, during. which [leriod lie 
has committed the most extensive and dreadful excesse.3 
^sparing no one. Few respectable families along the coast- 
of Borneo and Celebes but have to complain of the loss of 
a proa, or of some number of their race ; he is not more 
universally dreaded than detested ; it is well known that he 
has cut off and murdered the crews of more than forty Eu^ 
ropean yessels, which have either been wrecked on the 
coasts, or entrusted themselves in native ports. It is hi. 
boH.'^t that twenty of the commanders have fallen by his 
Iiands. The western coast of Celebes, for about 250 miles, 
is absolutely lined with proas belonging principally to three 
considerable rajahs, who act in conjunction with llaga auil 
other pirates. Their proas may be seen in clusters of 
from 50, 80, and 100 (at Sediano I counted 147 laying on 
the sand at hicji watermark in parallel rows,) and kept in a 
horizontal position by poles, completely ready for the sea. 
Immediately- behind them are the campongs, in which are 
the crews ; here likewise are kept the sails, gunpowder, 
dLC. necessary for their equipment. On the very summits 
of the mountains, which in many parts rise abruptly from 
the sea, maybe distinguished innumerable huts ; Ijere reside 
people who aro constantly on the look-out. A vessel with- 
in ten miles of the shore will not probably perceive a sin ^le 
proa, yet in less than two hours, if the tide be high, she 
may be surrounded by some hundreds. Should the watci 
be low they will push off during the night. Signals are 
made from mountain to mountain along the coast with the 
utmost rapidity ; during the day time by flags attached , ) 
long bamboos ; at night, by fires. Each chief sends forth 
his proas, the crews of which, in hazardous cases, are in- 
furiated with opium, when they will most assuredly take 
the vessel if she be not better provided than most iner 
chantrnen. 

Mr. Dalton, who went to the Pergottan riror in 1830 
says, “ whilst I remained here, there w jre 71 of con 

Biderable sizes, 39 of which were professed skates Thev 

IS* 


210 


HISTORY OF THE MALAY PIRATES. 


vvefc anchored off the point of a small promontory, on 
which the rajah has an establishment and bazaar^ The 
largest of these proas belonged to Raga, who received by 
the fleet of proas, in which I came, his regular supplies of 
arms and^ ammunition from Singapore. Here nestfe the 
• principal pirates, and Raga holds his head quarters ; his 
grand depot was a few miles farther up. Rajah Agi Bota 
himself generally resides some distance up a small river 
which runs eastward of the point ; near his habitation 
stands the principal bazaar, which would be a great curi- 
osity for an European to visit if he could only manage to 
return, which very few have. The Raga gave me a press- 
ing invitation to spend a couple of days* at his country 
house, but all the Bugis* Nacodahs strongly dissuaded me 
from such an attempt. I soon discovered the cause of 
their apprehension ; they were jealous of Agi Botta, well 
knowing he would plunder me, and considered every arti- 
cle taken by him was so. much lost to the Sultan of Coti, 
who naturally would expect the people to reserve me for 
his own particular plucking. When the fact was known 
of an European having arrived in the Pergdlten river, this 
amiable prince and friend of Europeans, impatient to seize 
his prey, came immediately to the point from hns country 
house, and sending for the Nacodah of the proa, ordered 
him to land me and all my goods instantly. An invitation 
now came for me to go on shore and amuse myself with 
shooting, and look at some rare birds of beautiful plumage 
vvhich the rajah would give me if I would accept of them ; 
but knowing what were his intentions, and being w'ell 
aware that I should be supported by all the Bugi’s proas 
from Coti, I feigned sickness, and requested that the birds 
might be sent on board. Upon this Agi Bota, who could 
no longer restrain himself, sent off two boats of armed men. 
w'ho robbed me of many articles, and would certainly have 
forced me on shore, or murdered me in the proa had not 
a signal been made to the Bugis’ nacodahs, who imme- 
diately came with their people, and with spears and krisses, 
drove the rajah’s people overboard. The nacodahs, nine 
in number, now went on shore, when a scene of contentio.i 
took place showing clearly the character of this chief. The 
Bugis from Coti explained, that with regard to me it wu 


INTERVIEW WITH AGI BOTA. 


211 


necessary to be particularly circumspect, as I was not only 
well known at* Singapore, but the authorities in that settle- 
ment knew that I was on board the Sultan s proa, and 
they themselves were responsible for my safety. To this 
circumstance alone I owe my life on several occasions, as 
ill the event of any thing happening to me, every nacodah 
was a])prehensive of his proa being seized on his return to 
Singapore; I was therefore more peculiarly cared for by 
this”class of men, and they are powerful. The rajah an- 
swered the nacodahs by saying, I might be disposed of as 
many others had been, and no further nqtice taken of the 
circumstance ; he himself would write to Singapore that 1 
had been 'taken by an alligator, or bitten by a snake whilst 
out shooting ; and as for what property I might have in 
the proa he would divide it with the Sultan of Coti. The 
Bugis, however, refused to listen to any terms, knowing 
the Sultan of Coti would call him to an account for the 
property, and the authorities of Singapore for my life. 
Our proa, with others, therefore dropped about four miles 
down the river, where we took in fresh water. Here we 
remained six days, every argument being in vain to entice 
me on shore. At length the Bugis’ nacodahs came to the 
determination to sail without passes, which brought the 
irajah to terms. The proas returned to the point, and I 
was given to understand I might go on shore in safety. I 
did so, and was introduced to the rajah whom I found 
under a shed, with about f50 of his people ; they were 
busy gambling, and had the appearance of what they 
really are, a ferocious set of banditti. Agi Bota is a good 
looking man, about forty years of age, of no equation 
whatever ; he divides his time between gaining, opium and 
cockfighting ; that is in the interval of his more serious 
and profitable employment, piracy and rapine. He asked 
me to produce what money I had about me ; on seeing 
only ten rupees, he remarked that it was not worth while to 
win so small a sum, but that if I would fight cocks with 
him he would lend me as much money as I wanted, and 
added it was beneath his dignity to fight under fifty reals 
a battle. On my saying it was contrary to an Englishman’s 
relimon to bet wagers, he dismissed me ; immediately after 
the two rajahs produced their cocks and commenced fight- 


212 


HISTORY OF THE MALAY PIRATES. 


ing for one rupee a side. I was now obliged to give ihv 
old Baudarre five rupees to take some care of me, as 
whilst walking about, the people “not only thrust their 
hands into iny pockets, but pulled the buttons from my 
clothes. Whilst sauntering behind the rajah’s campong 1 
caught sight of an European woman, who on perceiving 
herself observed, instantly ran into one of the houses, no 
doubt dreading the consequences -of being recognized. 
There are now in the house of Agi Bota two European 
women, up the country there are others, besides several 
men. The Bugis, inimical to the rajah, made no secret of 
the fact ; I had heard of it on board the proa, and some 
person in the bazaar confirmed the statement. On my ar- 
rival, strict orders had been given to the inhabitants to put 
all European articles out of sight. One of my servants 
going into the bazaar, bcought me such accounts as induced 
me to visit it. In one house were the following articles : 
four Bibles, one in English, one in Dutch, and two in the 
Portuguese languages; many articles of wearing apparel, 
such as jackets and trowsers, with the buttons altered to 
suit the natives ; pieces of shirts tagged to other parts of 
dress ; several broken instruments, such as quadrants, spy 
glasses (two,) binnacles, with pieces of ship’s sails, bolts 
and hoops ; a considerable variety of gunner’s and carpen- 
ter’s tools, stores, &c. In another shop were two pelisses 
of faded lilac colour ; these were of modern cut and 
fashionably made. On enquiring how they became pos- 
sessed of these articles, I was told they were some wrecks 
of European vessels on which no people were found, whilst 
others made no scruple of averring that they were formerly 
the property of people who had died in the country. All 
the goods in the bazaar belonged to the rajah, and were 
sold on his account; large quantities were said to be in his 
house up the river ; but on all hands it was admitted Raga 
and his followers had by far the largest part of what was 
taken. A Mandoor, or head of one of the campongs, 
showed me some women’s stockings, several of which were 
marked with the letters S. W. ; also two chemises, one 
with the letters S. W. ; two flannel petticoats, a miniature 
portrait frame (the picture was in the rajah’s house,) \vith 
many articles of dress of both se.\es. In consequence of 


DECEITFUL CHARACTER OF THE MALAYS. 


213 


tlie strict orders given on the subject I could see no more ; 
indeed there were botli difficulty and danger attending 
tiiese inquiries. I particularly wanted to obtain the minia- 
ture picture, and offered the Mandoor fifty rupees if he 
could procure it ; he laughed at me, and pointing signifi- 
cantly to his kris, drew one hand across my throat, and 
then across his own, giving me to under?taiid such would 
be the result to us both on such an application to the rajaii. 
It is the universal custom of the pirates, on tliis coast, to 
sell the people for slaves immediately on their arrival, tne 
rajah taking, for himself a few of the most useful, and re- 
ceiving a percentage upon the purchase money of tlie re- 
mainder, with a moiety of the vessel and every article on 
board. European vessels are taken up the river, where 
they are immediately broken up. The situation of Eu- 
ropean prisoners is indeed dreadful in a climate like tins, 
where even the labor of natives is intolerable ; they are 
compelled to bear all the drudgery, and allowed a bare 
sufficiency of rice and salt to eat. 

It is ‘utterly impossible for Europeans who have seen 
these pirates at such places as Singapore and Batavia, to 
form any conception of their true character ; there they 
are under immediate control, and every part of their be- 
haviour is a tissue of falsehood and deception. 1 hey con- 
stantly carry about with them a’ smooth tongue*, clinging 
demeanor, a complying disposition, which always asserts, 
and never contradicts, a countenance which appears to an- 
ticipate the very wish of the Europeans, and which so 
generally imposes upon liis understanding, that he at once 
concludes them to be the best and gentlest of human 
beings ; but let the European meet them in any of their 
own campongs, and a very . different character they will 
appear. The character and treacherous proceeding nar- 
rated above, and the manner of cutting off vessels and 
butchering their crews, apply e(]ually to all the pirates of 
the East India Islands, by winch many hundred European 
and American vessels have beep surprised and their crewi. 

buicKered.” , . _ . ... 

On the 7th of February, 1831, the ship Friendship, 
Capt, Endicott, of Salem (Mass.,) was captured by the 
Malays while lying at Q,ualla Battoo, on the coast of>^urna 


2J4 


history of the MALAY PIRATES. 


tra. In the forenoon of the fatal day, Capt. Endicott, Mr. 
Harry, second mate, and four of the crew, it seems went on 
shore as usual, for the purpose of w^eighing pepper, expect- 
ing to obtain that day two boat loads, which had been pro- 
mised them by the Malays. After the first boat was 
loaded, they observed that she delayed some time in pass- 
ing down the river, and her crew being composed of Ma- 
lays. was supposed by the officers to be stealing pepper 
from her, and secreting it in the bushes. In consequence 
of this conjecture, two men were sent off to watch them, 
who on approaching the boat, saw five or six Malays leap 
from the jungle, and hurry on board of her*. The former, 
however, supposed them to be the boat’s crew, as they had 
seen an equal number quit her previous to their own ap- 
proach. Ill this they were mistaken, as will subsequently 
appear. At this time a brig hove in sight, and was seen 
standing towards Soo Soo, another pepper port, distant 
about five miles. Capt. Endicott, on going to the beach 
to ascertain w'hether the brig hajd hoisted any colors, dis- 
covered that the boat with pepper had approached within 
a few yards of the Friendship, manned with an unusual 
number of natives. 

It appears that when the pepper boats came alongside 
of the Iriendship, as but tew of the hands could work at a 
time, numbers of the Malays came on board, and on being 
.questioned by Mr. Knight, the first officer, who was in the 
gangway, taking an account of the pepper, as to their 
business, their reply was, that they had come to see the 
vessel. Mr. Knight ordered them into their boat again, 
and some of them obeyed, but only to return immediately 
to assist in the work of death, which was now commenced 
by attacking Mr. Knight and the rest of the crew on board. 
The crew of the vessel being so scattered, it was impossi 
ble to concentrate their force so as to make a successful 
resistance. Some fell on the forecastle, one in the gang- 
way, and Mr. Knight fell upon the quarter deck, severely 
wounded by a stab in the back while in the act of snatch 
ing from the bulwarks a boarding pike with which to defend 
himself. 

*1 he two men who w^ere taking the pepper on a stage, 
having vainly attempted to get on board to the assistance 


A.TTACK ON THE SHIP FRIENDSHIP. 


215 


of their comrades, were compelled to leap into the sea. 
One of them, Charles Converse, of Salem, being se\ereiy 
wounded, succeeded in swimming to the bobstays, to which 
he clung until taken on board by the natives, and from 
some cause he was not afterwards molested. His companion, 
John Davis, being unable to swim, drifted with the title 
near \\\e boat tackh, or davit falls, the blocks being over- 
hauled down near the water ; one of these he kid hold of, 
which the Malays perceiving, dropped their boat astern 
and despatched him ! the cook sprang into a canoe along 
side, and in attempting to push off she was capsized ; and 
being unable to swim, he got on the bottom, and paddled 
ashore wdth his hands, where he was made prisoner. Gre- 
gory, an Italian, sought shelter in the foretop-gallant cross- 
trees, where he was fired at several times by the Malays 
with the muskets of the Friendship, which were always 
kept loaded and ready for use while on the coast. 

Three of the crew leaped into the sea, and swam to a 
point of land near a mile distant, to the northward of the 
town ; and, unperceived by the Malays on shore, pursued 
their course to the northward tow^ards Cape Felix, intend- 
ing to go the port of Annalaboo, about forty-five miles 
distant. Having walked all night, they found themselves, 
on the following morning, near the promontory, and still 
twenty-five miles distant from Annalaboo. 

When Mr. Endicott, Mr. Barry, and the four seamen 
arrived at the beach, they saw the crew jumping into the 
sea ; the truth now, with all its horrors, flashed upon his 
mind, that the vessel was attacked, and in an instant they 
jumped on board the boat and pushed off; at the same 
time a friendly rajah named Po Adam, sprang into the 
boat ; he was the proprietor of a port and considerable 
property at a place called Pulo Kio, but three miles distant 
from the mouth of the river Quallah Battoo. More busi- 
ness had been^done by the rajah during the eight years 
past than by any other on the pepper coast; he had uni- 
formly professed himself friendly to the Americans, and he 
has generally received the character of their being honest. 
Speaking a little English as he sprang into the boat, he 
exclaimed, “Captain, you got trouble; Malay kill you, he 
kill PoAdam too!” Crowds of Malays assembled on both 


216 


HISTORY OF THE MALAY PIRATES. 


sides of tlie river, brandishing their weapons in a menacing 
nianner, while a ferry boat, manned with eight or ten 
the natives, armed with spears and krisses, pushed of] to 
prevent the officers’ regaining their ship. The lattor ex- 
fiibited no fear, and flourished the cutlass of Po Adam in a 
menacing manner from the bows of the boat ; it so intimi- 
dated the Malays that they fled to the shore, leaving a free 
passage to the sliip ; but as they got near her they fourd 
that the Malays had got entire possession of her ; some o/ 
them were promenading the deck, others were making sig- 
nals of success to the people on shore, while, with tlie e.v- 
ception of one man aloft, not an individual of the crew 
could be seen. Three Malay boats, with about fifty men, 
jow issued from the river in tlie direction of the ship, while 
the captain and his men, concluding that their only hope 
of recovering their vessel was to obtain assistance (torn 
some other ships, directed their course towards Muchie, 
where they knew that several American vessels were lying 
at anchor. Three American captains, upon hearing the 
misfortunes of their countrymen, weighed anchor imme- 
diately for Q,uallah Battoo, determined, if possible, to re- 
cover the ship. . By four o’clock on the same day they 
gained an anchorage off that place ; the Malays, in the 
meantime, had removed on shore every moveable article 
belonging to the ship, including specie, besides several 
cases of opium, amounting in all to upwards of thirty thou- 
sand dollars. This was done on the night of the 9th , 
and on the morning of the 10th, they contrived to heave 
in the chain cable, and get the anchor up to the bows ; and 
the ship was drifting finely towards the beach, when the 
cable, not being stopped abaft the bitts, began suddenly to 
run out with great velocity ; but a bight having by acciden 
been thrown forward of the windlass, a riding turn was the 
consequence, and the anchor, in its descent, was suddenly 
checked about fifteen fathoms from the hawse. A squall 
soon after coming on, the vessel drifted obliquely towards 
the shore, and grounded upon a coral reef near half a mile 
to the southward of the town. The next day, having ob- 
tained a convenient anchorage, a message was sent by a 
friendly Malay who came on board at SooSoo, demanding 
the restoration of the ship. The rajah replied that he 


PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACKING THE MALAYS. 217 


would not give her up, but that they were welcome to take 
her if tliey could ; a fire was now opened upon the Friend- 
ship by liie vessels, her decks were crowded with Malays, 
wiio proinptiy returned the fire, as did also the forts on 
shore. This mode of warfare appeared undecisive, and it 
was determined to decide the contest by a close action. A 
number of boats being manned and armed with about ' 
thirty officers and men, a movement was njade to carry the 
8hi[> by boarding. The Mahiys did not wait the approach 
of this determined attack, but all deserted the vessel to her 
lawful owfjers, when she was taken possession of and 
warped out into deep water. The appearance of the ship, 
at the time she was bbarded, beggars all description ; every 
part of her bor(^ ample testimony of the scene of violence 
and destriK'tion with which she had been visited. The ob- 
jects of tlm voyage were abandoned, and the Friendship 
returned to the United States. The public were unani- 
mous in calling for a redress of the unparalleled outrage on 
the lives and property of citizens of the United States. 
The government immediately adopted measures to punish 
so outrageous an act of piracy by despatching the frigate 
Potomac, Commodore Downs, Commander. The Potomac 
sailed from New York the 24th of August, 1831, after 
touching at Rio Janeiro and the Cape of Good Hope. She 
anchored olY Ciu;i]lah Bat too in February 1832, disguised 
as a Danish ship, and came to in merchantman style, a 
few men being sent aloft, dressed in red and blue flannel 
shirts, and one sail being clewed up and furled at a lime. 

A reconnoitering party were sent on shore disguised as 
pepper dealers, but they returned without being a})le to 
ascertain the situations of the forts. The ship now pre- 
sented a busy scene ; it was determined to commence an 
attack upon the town the next morning, and every neces- 
sary preparation was accordingly made, muskets were 
cleaned, cartridge-boxes buckled on, cutlasses examined 
and put in order, &:c. 

At twelve o’clock at night, all hands were called, tnose 
assigned to take part in the expedition were muster 
when Lieut. Shubrick, the commander of the detachment, 
gave them special orders ; when they entered the bf> ts 
and proceeded to the shore, where they effected a Ian ling 

19 p 


218 


HISTORY OF THE MALAY PIRATES. 


near the dawn of day, amid a heavy surf, about a mile and 
a half to the north of the town, undiscovered by the enemy, 
and without any serious accident having befallen tlieni, 
though several of the party were thorougTdy drenched by 
the beating of the surf, and some of their ammunition was 
injured. 

The troops then formed and took up their line of march 
against the enemy, over a beach of deep and heavy sand. 
'J'hey had not proceeded far before they were discovered 
by a native at a distance, who ran at full speed to give the 
alarm. A rapid march soon brought them up with the first 
port, when a division of men, under the commnnd of 
Lieut. Hoflf^ was detached from the main bddy, and oVdered 
to surround it. The first port was found difficult of ac- 
cess, in consequence of a deep hedge of thorn-bushes and 
brambles with which it was environed. The assault was 
commenced by the pioneers, with their crows and axes, 
breaking down the gates and forcing a passage. This was 
attended with some difficulty, and gave the enemy time for 
preparation. They raised their warwhoop, and resisted most 
manfully, fighting with spear?, sabres, and muskets. They 
had also a few brass pieces in the port, but they managed 
them with so little skill as to produce no effect, for the 
balls uniformly whizzed over the heads of onr men. The 
resistance of the Malays was in vain, the fort was ' stormed, 
and soon carried ; not, however, till almost every individual 
in \\ was slain. Po Mahomet, a chief of much distinction, 
and who was one of the principal persons concerned in 
the outrage on the Friendship was here slain; the mother 
of Chadoolah, another rajah, was also slain here ; another 
woman fell at this port, but her rank was not ascertained ; 
she fought with the spirit of a desperado. A seaman had 
just scaled one of the ramparts, when he was severely 
wounded by a blow received from a weapon in her hands, 
but her life paid the forfeit of her daring, for she was ‘m 
mediately transfixed by a bayonet in the hands of tho 
person whom she had so severely injured. His head was 
wounded by a javelin, his thumb nearly cut off by a sabre, 
and a ball was shot through his hat. 

Lieutenants Edson and Ferret proceeded to the rear of 
the town, and made a bold attack upon that port, which, 


DESTRUCTION OF THE MALAY FORTS. 


219 


after a spirited resistance on the part of the Malays, it sur- 
rendered. Both orticcrs and marines here narrowly es- 
caped with their lives. One of the natives in the fort had 
trained his piece in such a manner as to rake their whole 
body, when he was shot down by a marine while in tlie 
very act of applying a match to it. The cannon was 
afterwards found to liave been filled with bullets. This 
port, like the former, was environed with thick jungle, and 
great difiiculty had been experienced in entering it. The 
engagement had now become general, and the alarm uni- 
versal. Men, women anrl children were seen flying in 
every direction, cariying the few articles they were able to 
seize in the moments of peril, and some of the men were 
cut down in the. fl.ght. Several of the enemy’s proas, 
filled with people, were severely raked by a brisk fire from 
the six pounder, as they were sailing up the river to the 
south of the town, and numbers of the natives were killed. 
The third and most formidable fort was' now attacked, and 
it proved the most formidable, and the co-operation of the 
several divisions was required for its reduction ; but so 
spirited was the fire poureel into it that it was soon obliged 
to yield, and the next moment the American colors were 
seen triumphantly waving over its battlements. The 
greater part of the town was reduced to ashes. The ba- 
zaar, the principal place of merchandize, and most of the 
private dwellings were consumed by fire. The triumph 
had now been completed over the Malays ; ample satisfac- 
tion had been taken for their outrages committed uj)on 
our own countrymen, and the bugle sounded the return of 
the ship's forces ; and the embarkation was soon after ef- 
fected. The action had continued about two hours and a 
half, and was gallantly sustained both by officers and men, 
from its commencement to its close. The loss on the part 
of the Malays was near a hundred killed, while of the 
Americans only two lost their lives. Among the spoils 
wore a Chinese gong, a Koran, taken at Mahomet’s fort, 
and several pieces of rich gold cloth. Many of the men’ 
came ofl’ richly laden with spoils which they had taken 
from the enemy, such as rajah’s scarfs, gold and silver 
chunam boxes, chains, ear rings and finger rings, anklets 
and bracelets, and a variety of shawls, krisses richly hiked 


220 


HISTORY OF THE MALAY PIRATES. 


and with gold scabbards, and a variety of other ornamen 
Money to a considerable amount was brought off. That 
nothing should be left undone to have an indelible u*;- 
pression on the minds of these people, of the power of the 
United States to iiiHict punishment for aggressions com- 
mitted on her ccxmmerce, in seas however distant, the ship 
was got underway the following morning, and brought to, 
with^ spring on her cable, within less than a mile of the 
shore, when the larboard side was brought to bear nearly 
upon the site of the town. The object of the Commodore, 
in this movement, was not to open an indiscriminate or 
destructive fire upon the town and inhabitants of Quallah 
Battoo, but to show them the irresistible power of thirty- 
two pound shot, and to reduce the port ofTuca de Lama, 
which could not be reached on account of the jungle and 
stream of water, on the morning before : and from which a 
fire had been opened and continued during the embarca- 
tion of the troops on their return to the ship. The fort 
was very soon deserted, while the shot was cutting it to 
pieces, and tearing up whole cocoa-trees by the roots. In 
the afternoon a boat came off from the shore, bearing a 
flag of truce to the Commodore, beseeching him, in all the 
practised forms of submission of the east, that he would 
grant them peace, and cea^e to fire his big guns. Hostili- 
ties now ceased, and the Commodore informed them that 
the objects of his government in sending him to their shores 
had now been consummated in the punishment of the 
guilty, who had committed their piracies on the Friendship. 
Thus ended the intercourse with Q,uallah Battoo. The 
Potomac proceeded from this place to China, and from 
thence to the Pacific Ocean ; after looking to the interests 
of the American commerce in those parts she arrived at 
Boston in 1834, after a three years’ absence. 


THE ADVENTURES OF 


CAPTAIN C O xN D E N T . 


Captain Condent was a Plymouth man born, but we 
are as yet i^^iorant of the motives and time of his first 
turniu" pirate, lie was one of those who thought fit to 
retire from ProvkJence, on Governor Rogers’ arrival at that 
island, in a sloop belonging to Mr. Simpson, of New-York, 
a Jew merciiant, of which sloop he was tlien quarter-mas- 
ter. Soon after they left the island, an accident happened 
on board, which put the whole crew into, consternation. 
They had among them an Indian man, whom some of 
them had beaten ; in revenge, he got most of the .arms 
forward into the hold, and designed to blow up th-e sloop ; 
upon whicli, some advised scuttling the deck, and throwing 
grenade shells down, but Condent said that was too tedious 
and (hmgerous, since the fellow might fire through the deck 
and kill several of them. He, therefore, taking a pistol in 
one hand, and his cutlass in the other, leaped into the hold. 
The Indian discharged a piece at him, which broke his arm; 
but, however, he ran up and shot the Indian. When he 
was dead, the crew hacked him to pieces, and the gunner, 
ripping up his belly and tearing out his heart, broiled and 
eat it. 

After tills, they took a merchantman called the Duke of 
York ; and some disputes arising among the pirates, the 
captain, and one half of the company, went on board the 
))rize ; the otiief half, who continued in the sloop, chose 
Condent captain. He shaped his course for the Cape-de 
Verd Islands, and in liis way took a merchant ship from 
Madeira, laden with wine, and bound for the West Indies, 
which he plundered and let go ; then coming to the Isle 
of May, one of the said islands, he took the whole salt fleet, 

19 =^ 


the adventures of captain condent. 

consisting of about 20 sail. Wanting a boom, he took out 
the mainmast of one of these slii})s to supply the want 
Here he took upon himself the administration of justice 
inquiring into the manner of the commanders’ behavior to 
their men, and those against whom complaint was made, 
he whipped and pickled. He took what proyision and 
otlicr necessaries he wanted, and having augmented his 
conipany by volunteers and forced men, he left the ships 
and sailed to St. Jago, where he took a Dutch ship, which 
had formerly been a privateer. This proved also an easy 
prize, for he fired but one broadside, *and clapping her 
on board, carried her without resistance, for the captain 
and several men were killed, and some wounded by his 
great shot. 

The ship proving for his purpose, he gave her the name 
of the Flying Dragoiq wt3nt on board with his crew, and 
made a present of liis sloop to a mate of ah English prize, 
whom he had forced with him. From hence he stood 
away for the coast of Brazil, and in his cruize took several 
Portuguese ships, wh;ch he plundered and let go. 

After these he fell in with the Wright galley, Capt. John 
Spelt, commander, liired by the South Sea company, to go 
to the coast of Angola for slaves, and thence to Buenos 
Ayres. This ship ho detained a considerable time, and 
the captain being his townsman, treated him very civilly. 
A few days after he took Spelt, he made prize of a Portu- 
guese, laden with bale goods and stores. He rigged the 
Wright galley anew, and {)ut on board of her some of the 
goods. Soon after he had dischaiged the Portuguese, he 
met V ith a Wolch Ea t Inniaman of 2d guns, whose cap- 
tain w IS killed the first broadside, and took her with little 
resistance, for he had hoisted liie p. rate’s colors on board 
Spelt’s ship. 

He now, with three sail, steered for the island of Ferdi- 
nnndo, where he hove down and cleaned the Fit ing 
Dragon. Having careened, ho put i I Dutchmen on board 
Capt. Spelt, to make amemls for the hands he had forced 
from him, and sent him away, making him a pre. ent of the 
goods lie had taken from the Portuguese ship. When he 
sailed himself, he ordered the Dutch to stay at Ferdinando 
24 hours after his departure ; threatening, if he did no^ 


INHUMAN TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. 


223 


comply, to sink his ship, if he fell a second time into his 
hands, and to put all the company to the sword. He then 
stood for the coast of Brazil, where he met a Portuguese 
man of war of 70 guns, which he came up with. The 



The Pirates riding the Priests about deck. 


Portuguese hailed him, and he answered, from London,, 
hound to Buenos Ayres, The Portuguese manned his 
shrouds and cheered him, when Condent fired a broadside, 
and a smart engagement ensued for the space of three 


224 


THE ADVENTUJIES OB’ CAPTAIN CONDENT. 


glasses; but Condent finding himself over-matched, made 
the best of his way, and being the best sailer, got off. 

A few days after, lie took a vessel of the same nation, 
who gave an account, that he had killed above forty men 
in the Guarda del Costa, besides number wounded, lie 
kept along the coast to the southward, and took a French 
uhip of Id guns, laden with wine and biandy, bound for 
the South Sea, which he carried with him into tin^ River 
of Platte, lie sent some of his iikui asliore to kill some 
wild cattle, but they were taken by tiie crew of a Spanish 
inan-oi-war. On their examination before the captain, 
they said they were two Guinea sliips, with slaves belong- 
ing to the South Sea company, and on this stiuy vvme al- 
lowed to return to their boats. Here five of h;s forced 
men ran away with his canoe ; he plundered tlie French 
ship, cut her adrift, and she wus stranded. He proceeded 
along the Brazil coast, and fiearing a p rate snip was los 
upon it, and the pirates imprisoned, he used all the P Ttu- 
guese who fell into his hands, who were many, very haiba- 
rously, cutting off their ears and noses ; and as his master 
was a papist, when they icok a juiest, tliey made him say 
mass at the inaimnust and would arterwards get on his 
back and ride him about the decks, or t:l. e load and drive 
him like a beast. He from this went to the Guinea coast, 
and took Capl. H 11, in the Indian Queen . 

In Luengo Bay he saw two sh ps at anchor, one a 
Dutchman of 44 guns, the other an Fnglisli -hip, called 
the Fame, Capt. Bowen, commander, 'i'hey both cut and 
ran ardtore : the Fame was lost, but the Dutch ship the 
pirate got off and took with him. W lien he was at.^ea* 
again, he discharged Captain Hill, and stood away for tiie 
East Indies. Ne r the Cape he took an Ostend I'ast-Jn- 
diaman, of which Mr. Nash, a noted merchant of London 
was supercargo. Soon aliei he look a Dutch Fasl-Iinlia* 
man, discharged the Ostender, and made for Madagascar. 
At the Isle of St. Mary, he im t witfi some of Cajjt. Hul- 
sey’s crew, whom he took on bounl with other stragghos, 
and shaped his course lor the Ea>l-ln>!i‘'S. and in the way, 

. at the island of Johanna, took, in company w.th. tw o other 
pirates he met at St. Mary’s, tlie Cassandra ICast-lndiamaji^ 
commanded by Capt. James Macraigh. lie c.onliimea his 



Capt. CoiTilent leaping into the hold, to attack the Indian, p^ 221 



I 


CONDENT AND HIS MEN PARDONED. 


227 


course ht the East-Indies, where he made a very great 
booty ; and returning, touched at the island of Mascaren- 
has, where he met with a Portuguese ship of 70 gi ns, with 
the viceroy of Goa on board. This ship he made prize of, 
and hearing she had money on board, tiiey would allow of 
no ransom, but carried her to the coast of Zanguebar, 
where was a Dutch fortification, which they took and plun- 
dered, razed the fort, and carried off several men volunta- 
rily. From hence they stood for St. Mary’s, where they 
shared their booty, broke up their company, and settled 
among tlie natives. Here a snow came from Bristol, which 
they obliged to carry a petition to the governor of Masca- 
renhas lor a pardon, though they paid the master very 
generously. The governor returned answer he would take 
them into protection if they w'auld destroy their ships, which 
they agreed to, and accordingly sunk the Flying Dragon, 
<L’.c. Condent and scune others went to Mascarenhas; 
Wi.ere Condent married the govepnor’s sister-in-law, and 
remained some time ; bdt, as I have been credibly inform- 
ed, he is since come to France, settled at St. Maloes, and 
drives a considerable trade as a merchant. 


THE LIFE OF 


CAPTAIN EDAVAKD LOW. 


This ferocious villain was born in Westminster, and 
received an education similar to that of the common peo- 
ple m England, lie was by nature a pirate; lor even 
when very yeung he raised. contributions am<*rjg the boys 
of Westminster, .and if they declined compliance, a battle 
was the result. AVdien he advanced a step farther in file, 
he began to exert his ingenuity at low games, /ind cheating 
all in Ills power; and those who* pretended to maintain 



He went to sea in company with his brother, and con- 
tinued with him for tliree or four years. Going over to 
America, he wrought iii a rigging-house at Boston for some 
time. He then came home to see Iiis mother in England, 
returned to Boston, and continued for some years longer 
at the same business. But beiiig'of a (juarrelsome temper, 
he dirtered with his niaster, and went on l)oard a sloop 
bound for the Bav of Honduras. 

While there, he had the command of a boat employed 
in bringing logwood to the sffip. In that boat there were 
twelve men well armed, to be prepared /or the Spaniards, 
from whom the wood v\as tal^n by force. It happened 
one day that the boat came to the ship just a little before 
dinner was ready, and ]..ow desired that they ni'ght dine 
before they returned. The captain, however, ordered tliem 
a bottle of rum, and requested them to take another trip, 
as no time was to be lost. The crew w^ere enraged, par- 
ticularly Low, who took up a loaded musket and bred at 
the captain, but missing him, another man was shot, and 
they ran off with the boat. The next day they took a 


SUCCESSFUL PIRACY. 


229 


small vessel, went on board her, hoisted a black fiag, and 
declared war with the uhole vyorld. 

In their rovings, Low met with Lowther, who proposed 
that he should join him, and thus promote their mutual 
advantage. We have already related their adventures so 
long as they remained in company. Having cajitured a 
brigantine. Low, with forty more, went on board her; and 
leaving Lowther, they went to seek their own fortune. 

. Their first adventure was the capture of a vessel belong- 
ing to Amboy, out ol which they took the provisions, and 
allowed her to proceed. On the same day they took a 
sloop, plundered her, and permitted her to depart. The 
sloop went into Black Island, and sent intelligence to the 
governor that Low was on the coast. Two small vessels 
were immediately fitted out, but, before their arrival. Low 
was beyond their reach. After this narrow escape, Low 
went into port to procure water and fresh provisions; and 
then renewed his search of plunder. lie next sailed into 
the harbor of Port Rosemary, where vvere thirteen ships, 
but none of them of any great strength. Low hoisted the 
black fiag. assuring them that if they made any resistance 
they should have no quarter ; and manning their boat, the 
p'lates took possession of every one of them, which they 
plundered and converted to their own use. They then 
put on board a schooner ten guns and fifty men, n'amed 
her the Fancy, and Low himself went on board of her, 
while Charles Harris was constituted captain of the brigan- 
tine. They also, constrained a few of the men to join 
them, and sign their articles. 

After an unsuccessful pursuit of two sloops from Boston, 
they steered for the Leeward Islands, but in their way 
were overtaken by a terrible hurricane. The search for 
plunder gave place • to the most vigorous exertion to save 
themselves. Oh board the brigantine, all hands were at 
work both day and night ; they were under the necessity 
of throwing overboard six of her guns, and all the w^eighty 
provisions. In the storm, the two vessels were separated, 
and it was some time before they again saw each other. 

After the storm, Low went into a small island west of 
the Carribbees, refitted his vessels, and got provision for 
them in exchange of goods. As soon as the brigantine 
20 


230 THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN EDWARD LoU. 

was ready for sea, they went on a cruise until the Fancy 
should be prepared, and during that cruise, met with a 
vessel wliich had lost H her masts in tlie storm, which 
they plundered of goods to the value of 1000/. and returned 
to tlie island. Wfen the Fancy was ready to sail, a coun- 
cil was held what course they should next steer. 3’hey 
followed the advice of the captain, who thought it not safe 
to cruise any longer to the leeward, lest they should fall 
in with any of the men-of-war that cruised upon that coast,, 
so they sailed for the Nores. ^ 

Tne good fortune of Low was now singular ; in his way 
thither he captured a French ship of 31 guns, and carried 
her along with him. Then entering St. Michael’s roads, 
he captured seven sail, threatening with instant death all 
who dared to oppose him. Thus, by inspiring terror, 
without firing a single gun, he became master of all that 
property. Being in want of w'ater and fresh provisions, 
Low sent to the governor demanding a supply, upon con- 
dition of releasing the ships he had taken, otherwise he 
would commit them to the fiames. The request was in- 
stantly complied with, and six of the vessels were restored. 
But a French vessel being among them, they emptied of her 
guns and all her men, except the cook, who*, they said, 
being a greasy fellow, would fry well ; they accordingly 
bound the unfortunate man to the mast, and set the ship 
on^fire. 

The next who fell in their way was Captain Cai^r, in 
the Wright galley; who, because he showed some inclina- 
tion to defend himself, was cut and mangled in a barbar- 
ous manner. There were also two Portuguese friars, 
whom they tied to the foremast, and several times let them 
down before they were dead, merely to gratify their own 
ferocious dispositions. Meanwhile, another Portugues(|, 
beholding this cruel scene, expressed some sorrow in his 
countenance, upon which one of the wretches said he did 
not 'ike his looks, and so giving him a stroke across the 
body with his cutlass, he fell upon the spot. Another of 
the miscreants, aiming a blow at a prisoi^?, missed his aim, 
and struck Low upon the under jaw. The surgeon was 
called, and stiched up the wound ; but Low finding fault 
with the operation, the surgeon gave him a blow which 


CRUELTY OF CAPTAIN LOW. 


231 


broke all the stiches, and left him to sew them himself. 
After he had plundered this vessel, some of them were for 
burning her, as they had done ihe Frenchman ; but instead 
of that, they cut her cables, rigging, and sails to pieces, 
and sent her adrilt to the mercy of the waves. 

Tliey next sailed for the island of Madeira, and took up 
a fishing boat with two old men and a boy. They detained 



The Captain of the Portuguese Ship cutting away the Bag 
of Moidores, 


one of them, and sent the other on shore with a flag of 
truce, requesting the governor to send them a boat of 
water, else they would hang the other man at the yard 
arm. The water was sen and the man dismissed. 

They next sailed for the Canary Islands, and there took 


2S2 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN EDWARD LOW. 


several vessels ; and being informed that two small galleys 
were daily expected, the sloop was manned and sent in 
quest of tiiem. They, however, missing their prey, and 
being in great want of provision, went into St. Michael’s 
in the character of traders, and being discovered, were 
aj)prehended, and the whole crew conducted to the castle, 
and treated according to their merits. 

IMean while, Low’s ship w as overset upon the careen and 
Nost, so that, having only the P'ancy schooner remaining, 
they all, to the number of a hundred, Avent on board her, 
and set sail in search of new spoils. They soon met a 
rich Portuguese vessel, and after some resistance captured 
her. Low tortured the men to constrain them to inform 
him w here they had hid their treasures. He accordingly 
discovered that, during the chase, the captain had hung a 
bag with eleven thousand moidores out of the cabin w'in- 
dew, and that, w hen they were taken, he had cut the rope, 
and allowed it to fall into the sea. Upon this intelligence. 
Low raved and stormed like a fury, ordered the captain’s 
lips to be cut oft’ and broiled before his eyes, then murder- 
ed him and all his crew. 

After this bloody action, the miscreants steered north- 
ward, and in their course seized several vessels, one #f 
which they burned, and plundering the rest, allowed them 
to proceed. Having cleaned in one of the islands, they 
then sailed for the bay of Honduras. They met a Span- 
iard coming out of the bay, which had captured five Eng- 
ishmen and a pink, plundered them, and brought away 
the masters prisoners. Low hoisted Spanish colors, but, 
when he came near, hung out the black flag, and the Span- 
iard w'as seized without resistance. Upon finding the mas- 
ters of the English vessels in the hold, and seeing English 
goods on board, a consultation w^as held, w^hen it w'as de- 
termined to put all th6 Spaniards to the sword. This was 
scarcely resolved upon, when they commenced with every 
species of weapons to massacre every man, and some flying 
from their merciless hands into the weaves, a canoe was 
sent in pursuit of those w ho endeavored to swim on s^ore. 
Theynext plundered the Spanish vessel, restored the Eng- 
lish masters to their respective vessels, .and set the Span 
ard on fire. 



SKILFUL MANCEUVRK OF THE GRFYHOUND. 

Low’s next cruise was ’oetween the Leeward Islands and 
the main land, where, in a continued course of prosperity, 
he successively captured no less tlian nineteen ships of 
diflerent sizes, and in general treated their crews with a 
barbarity unecjualled even among pirates.' But it happened 
that the Greyhound, of twenty guns and one hundred and 
iwenty men, was cruising upon that coast. Informed of 
the mischief these miscreants had done, the Greyhound 
went in search of tliem. Supposing, they had discovered 
a prize. Low and his crew pursued them, and the Grey- 
hound, allowing them to run alter her until all things w^ere 
ready to engage, turned upon the two sloops. 


Loiv presenting a Pistol and Boiol of Punch, 


One of these sloops was called the Fancy, and com- 
manded by Low himself, and the other the Ranger, com- 
manded by Harris ; both hoisted their piratical colors, 
and fired each a gun. When the Greyhound came 

20* Q 


214 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN EDWARD LOW. 


w'lhin musket phot, she hauled up her mainsail, and clap- 
ped close upon a wind, to keep the pirates from running 
to leeward, and then engaged. But when the rogues 
found whom they had to deal with, they edged away under 
the maii-of-vvar’s stern, and the Greyhound standing after 
them, they made a running fight for about two hours ; but 
little wind happening, the sloops gained from her, by the 
help of their oars ; upon which the Greyhound left otf fir- 
ing, turned all hands to their own oars, and at three in 
the afternoon came up with them. The ))irates hauled 
upon a wind to receive the man-of-w^ar, and the fight was 
immediately renewed, with a brisk fire on both sides, till 
the Ranger’s mainyard was shot down. Under these cir- 
cumstances, Low' abandoned her to the enemy, and fled. 

The conduct of Low was surprising in this adventure, 
because his reputed courage and boldness had hitherto so 
possessed the minds of all people, that he became a terror 
even to his own men ; but Ids behaviour throughout this 
whole action showed him to be a base cowardly villain ; 
for had Low’s sloop fought half so briskly as Harris’ liad 
done (as they were under a solemn oath to do,) the man-, 
of-war, in the opinion of some present, could never have 
hurt them. 

Nothing, however^ could lessen the fury, or reform the 
manners, of that obdurate crew. Their narrow escape 
had no good effect upon them, and with redoubled vio- 
lence they renewed their depredations and cruelties. The 
next vessel they captured, was eighty miles from land. 
They used the master with the most wanton cruelty, then 
shot him dead, and forced t!ie crew info the boat with a 
compass, a little water, and a few biscuits, and left them 
to the mercy of the waves ; they, however, beyond all ex- 
pectation, got safe to shore. 

Low proceeded in his villainous career with too fiital 
success. Unsatisfied with satiating their avarice and walk- 
ing the common path of wickedness, those inhuman 
wretches, like to Satan himself, made mischief their sport, 
cruelty their delight, and the ruin and murder of their fid- 
low' men their constant employment. Of all the piratical 
crews belonging to the English nation, none ever equalled 
Low in barbarity. Their mirth and their anger had the 


UNFORTUNATE SITUATION OF CAPTAIN GRAVES. 235 

same effect. They murdered a man from good humoul', 
as well as from anger and {jossion. Their ferocious dispo- 
sition seemed only to delight in cries, groans, and lamen- 
tations. One day Low having captured Captain Graves, 
a Virginia man, took a bowl of punch in his hand, and 
said, “ Captain, here ’s half this to you.” The poor gen- 
tleman was too much touched with his misfortunes to be . 
in a humor for drinking, he therefore modestly excused 
himself. Upon this Low cocked and presented a pistDl in 
the one hand, and his bowl in the other, saying, “ Either 
tak(i tne one or the other.” 

Low next captured a vessel called'the Christmas,, mount 
ed her witli thirty-four guns, went on board her himself, 
assumed the title of admiral, and hoisted the Jalack flag. 
Ilis next prize was a brigantine half manned with Portu- 
guese, and half with English. The former he hanged, and 
the latter he thrust into their boat and dismissed, while he 
set fire to the vessel. The success of Low was unequalled, 
as well as his cruelty ; and during a long period he con- 
tinued to pursue his wicked course with imp^unity. 


LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 


CAPTAIN E1\WARD ENGLAND. 


This adventurer was mate of a sloop that sailed from 
Jamaica, and was taken by Captain Winter, a pirate, just 
before the settlement of the pirates at Providence island. 
After the pirates had surrendered to his Majesty’s pardon, 
and Providence island was peopled by the English govern- 
ment, Captain England sailed to Africa. There he took 
several vessel#, particularly the Cadogan, from Bristol, 
commanded by ontj Skinner. When tlie latter struck to 
the pirate, he was ordered to come on board in his boat. 
Tlie person upon whom he first cast his eye, proved to be 
his old boatswain, who stared him in the face, and accosted 
him in the following mariner : “ Ah, Captain Skinner, is it 
you ? the only person I wished to see : 1 am much in your 
debt, and 1 shall pay you all in your own coin.” The poor 
man trembled in every joint, and dreaded the event, as he 
well might. It happened that Skinner and his old boat- 
swain, with some of his men, had quarrelled, so that he 
thought fit to remove them on board a man-of-war, while 
he refused to pay them their wages. Not long after, they 
found means to leave the man-of-war, and went on board 
a small ship in the West Indies. They were taken by a 
pirate, and brought to Providence, and from tlience sailed 
as pirates with Captain England. Thus accid* ntally meet- 
ing their old captain, they severely revenged the treatment 
they had received. 

After the rough salutation which has been related, the 
boatswain called to his comrades?, laid hold of Skinner, tied 
him fast to the w^lndlass, and pelted him with glass bottles 
until they cut him in a sliocking manner, then whip- 
ped him about the dec!# until they were quite fatigued, re- 


237 


HORRID TREATMENT OF CAPTAIN SKINNER. 

maining deaf to all his prayers and entreaties; and at last, 
in an insiihing tone, observed, that as he had been a good 
master to his men, he should have an easy death, and upon 
this shot him through the head. 

Having taken such things out of tlie ship as they stood 
most in need of, she was given to Captain Davis in order 
to try his fortune with a few hands. 

Captain England, sOme time after, took a ship called the 
Pearl, for' which he exchanged his own sloop, fitted her up 



The Pirates pelting^ Captain Skinner with Glass Bottles, 


for piratical service, and called her the Royal James. In 
that vessel he was very fortunate, and took several ships 
of different sizes and different nations. In the spring of 
1719, the pirates returned to Africa, and beginning at the 
river Gambia, sailed down the co^^t to Cape Corso, and 
captured several vessels. Some of them they pillaged, and 


238 


ADVENTURKS OF CAPTAIN ENGLAND. 


allowed to proceed, some they fitted out for the pirate ser- 
vice, and others they burne d. 

Leaving our^piratc upon this coast, the Revenge and the 
Flying King, two other [)ir;'.te vessels, sailed for the West 
Indies, where tln.y look several prizes, and then cleared 
and sailed Ibr Brazil. There they captured some Portu- 
guese vessels ; but a large Portuguese man-of-war coming 
up to them, proved an unwelcome guest. The Revenge 
escaped, but was soon lost upon that coast. The Flying 
King in despair run ashore. There were then seventy on 
board, twelve of w'horn were slain, and the remainder taken 
prisoners. ' The Portuguese hanged thirty-eight of them. 

Captain England, whil.-t cruising upon that coast, took 
the Peterborough of Bristol, and the Victory. The former 
they detained, the latter they plundered and dismissed. 
In the course of his voyage, England met with two ships, 
but these taking shelter under Cape Corso Castle, hd un- 
successfully attempted to set them on fire. He next sailed 
down to Whydah road,' wdiere Captain La Bouclie had 
been before England, and left him no sj5oil. He noiv went 
into the harbor, cleaned his own ship, and fitted up the 
Peterborough, which he called the Victory. During sev- 
eral weeks the pirates remained in this quarter, indulging 
in every species of riot and debauchery, tintil the natives, 
exasperated with their conduct, came to an open rupture, 
when several of the negroes were slain, and one .of their 
tow'ns set on fire by the pirates. 

Leaving that port, the pirates, when at sea, determined 
by vote to sail for the East Indies, and arrived at Mada- 
gascar. After watering and taking in some provisions 
they sailed for the coast of Ma'abar. This place is sit- 
uated in the Mogul Empire, and is one of its most beau- 
tiful and fertile districts. It extends from the coast of 
Canora to Cape Comorin. The original natives are ne- 
groes ; but a mingled race of Mahometans, who are gen- 
erally merchants, have been introduced in modern times. 
Having sailed almost round the one half of the globe, lit- 
erally seeking w^hom they might devour, our pirates ar- 
rived in this hitherto untried and prolific field for their op- 
erations. ♦ 

Not long after their settlement at Madagascar, they took 


SEVERE BATTLE WITH TWO ENGLISH SHIPS. 239 

a cruise, in which they captured two Indian vessels and a 
Dutchman. Th(3y exchanged the latter for one of their 
owm, ail'd directed their course again to Madagascar. 
Several of their hands were sent on shore with tents and 
ammunition, to kill such beasts and venison as the island 
afforded. They also formed the resolution to go in search 
of Avery’s crew, which they knew had settled upon the 
island ; but as their residence was upon tlj^ other side of 
the island, the loss of time and labour was the only fruit of 
their search. 

They tarried here but a very short time, then steered 
their course to Juanna, and coming out of that harbour, fell 
in with two English vessels and an Ostend ship, all India- 
men, which, after a most desperate action, they captured. 
The particulars of this extraordinary action are related iiv 
the following letter from Captain Mackra. 

Bombay^ November \Qth, 1720. 

We arrived on the 25th of July last, in company with 
the Greenwich, at Juanna, an island not far from Mada- 
gascar. Putting in there to refresh our men, we found 
fourteen pirates wJio came in their canoes from the Mayotta, 
where the pirate ship to which they belonged, viz. the In- 
dian Queen, two hundred and fifty tons, twenty-eight guns, 
and ninety men, commanded by Captain Oliver de la 
Bouche, bound from the Guinea coast to the East Indies, 
had been bulged and lost. They said they left the cap- 
tain and forty of their men building a new vessel, to pro- 
ceed on their wicked designs. Captain Kirby and I con- 
cluding that it might be of great service to the East India 
Company to destroy such a nest of rogues, were ready to 
sail for that purpose on the 17th of August, about eight 
o’clock in the morning, when we discovered two pirates 
standing into the bay Juanna, one of thirty-four, and the 
other of thirty-six guns. I immediately went on board 
the Greenwich, where they seemed very diligent in pie- 
paration for an engagement, and I left Captain Kirby wtLtt 
mutual promises of standing by each other. I then un- 
moored, got under sail, and brought two boats a-head to 
row me close to the Greenwich ; but he being open to a 
valley and a breeze, made the best of his wav from ; 


240 


adventures of captain ENGLISH 


wliich an Ostencler in our company, of twenty two guns, 
seeing, did the same, iliough tiie captain had promised 
heartily to engage v\iih us, and 1 believe v\^)uld have been 
as good as iiis word, if Captain Kirby had kept his. About 
half an hour after twelve, 1 called several tunes to the 
(ireenwich to bear down to our assistance, and fired a shot 
at him, but to no purpose; for though we did not doubt 
but he would join us, b(3eause, when he got about a league 
Ifom us he brought his i'hip to and lor»ked on, yet both he 
and the Ostender basely deserted us, and left us engaged 
with barbarous and inhuman enemies, w'ith their black 
and bloody liags hanging over us, without the least appear- 
ance of ever escaping, but to be cut to pieces. But God 
in his good providence determined otherwise ; for, not- 
withstanding their superiority, we engaged them both 
about three hours; during which time the bigge>t of them 
received some shot betwixt wind. and water, which made 
her keep off a little to stop her leaks. , I’lie other endeav 
ored ail she could to board us, by rowing with her oars^ 
being within half a ship’s length of us above an liour ; bur 
by good fortune w’e sliot all lier oars to pieces, which pre- 
vented them, and by conseipicnce saved our lives. 

“About four o’clock most of the oHicers and men posted 
on the quarter-deck being killed and wounded, the largest 
ship making up to us w^ith diligence, being still within a 
cable’s length of us, often giving us a broadside; there 
being now no hopes of Captain Kirby’s coming to our as- 
sistance, w'e endeavored to run a-shore ; and though we 
drew four feet of water more than the pirate, it pleased 
God that he stuck fast on a higher ground than happily we 
fell in with ; so was disappointed a second time from board- 
ing us. Here we had a more violent engagement than 
before : all my officers and most of my men behaved with 
unexpected courage ; and, as we had a considerable ad- 
vantage by having a broadside to his bow, w'e did him 
great damage ; so that had Captain Kirby come in then, 
1 believe we should have taken both the vessels, lor we 
had one of them sure ; but the other pirqte (w ho wms still 
firing at us,) seeing the Greenwich did not offer to assist 
us, supplied his consort with three boats full of fresh men. 
About five in the evening the Greenwich stood clear away 


PIRATES BOARD ONE OF THE ENGLISHMEN. 241 

to sea, leaving US struggling hard for life, in the very jaws 
of death ; which the other pirate that was afloat, seeing, 
got a warp out, and was hauling under our stern. 

“ By this tifne many of my men being killed and wound- 
ed, and no hopes left us of escaping being all murdered by 
enraged barbarous conquerors, I ordered all that could to 
get into the long-boat, under the cover of the smoke of 
our guns ; so that, with what some did in boats, and others 
by swimming, most of us that were able, got ashore by 
seven. o’clock. When the pirates, came aboard, they cut 
three of our wounded men to pieces. I with some of my 
■people made vvhat haste I could to King’s-town, twenty- 
five miles from us, where I arrived next day, almost dead 
with the fatigue and loss of blood, having been sorely 
wounded in the head by a musket-ball. 

“ At this town I' heard that the pirates had offered ten 
thousand dollars to the country people to bring me in, 
which many of them would have accepted, only they knew 
the king and all his chief people were in my interest. 
Meantime, I caused a report to be spread that I was dead 
of my wounds, which much abated their fury. About ten 
days after, being pretty well recovered, and hoping the 
malice of our enemies was nigh over, 1 began to consider 
the dismal condition we were reduced to ; being in a place 
where we had no hopes of getting a passage home, all of 
us in a manner naked, not having had time to bring with 
us either a shirt or a pair of shoes, except what we had on. 
Having obtained leave to go on board* the pirates with a 
promise of safety, several of the chief of them knew me, 
and some of them had sailed with me, which I found to be 
of great advantage ; because, notwithstanding their prom- 
ise, some of them would have cut me to pieces, and ail 
that would not enter with them, had it not been for their 
chief captain, Edward England, and some others whom I 
knew. They talked of burning one of their ships, which 
W'e had so entirely disabled as to be no farther useful to 
them, and to lit the Cassandra in her room ; but in the end 
I managed the affair so well, that they rnade me a present 
of the said shattered ship, which was Dutch built, and 
called the Fancy ; her burden was about three hundred 
tons. I procured also a hundred and twenty-nine bales 

21 


24*2 


ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ENGLAND. 


of the Company’s cloth, though they would not give me a 
rag of my own clothes. 

“ They sailed the 3rd of September ; and I, with jury- 
masts, and such old sails as they left me, made a shift to do 
the like on the 8th, together with forty-three of my ship’s 
crew, including two passengers and twelve soldiers : hav- 
ing no more than five tuns of water aboard. After a pas- 
sage of forty-eight days, I arrived here on the 26th o( 
October, almost naked and starved, having been reduced 
to a pint of water a-day, and almost in despair of ever see- 
ing land, by reason of the calms we met with between the 
coast of Arabia and Malabar. 

“We had in all thirteen men killed and tw'enty-four 
wounded ; and we were told that we destroyed about 
ninety or a hundred of the pirates. When they left us, 
they were about three hundred whites, and eighty blacks, 
ji both ships. I am persuaded, had our consort the Green- 
wich done his duty, we had destroyed both of them, and 
got two hundred thousand pounds for our owners and 
selves ; w'hereas the loss of the Cassandra may justly be 
imputed to his deserting us. I have delivered all the bales 
that were given me into the Company’s warehouse, for 
which the governor and council have ordered me a reward. 
Our governor, Mr. Boon, who is extremely kind and civil 
to me, had ordered me home with the packet ; but Cap- 
tain Harvey, who had a prior promise, being come in with 
the fleet, goes in my room. The governor had promised 
me a country vo}^ge to help to make up my losses, and 
would have me stay and accompany him to England next 
year.” 

Captain Mackra was certainly in imminent danger, in 
trusting himself and his men on board the pirate ship, and 
unquestionably nothing but the desperate circumstances 
in which he was placed could have justified so hazardous 
a step. The honor and influence of Captain England, 
however, protected him and his men from the fury of the 
crew, who would willingly have WTeaked their vengeance 
upon them. 

It is pleasing to discover any instance of generosity or 
nonor among such an abandoned race, who bid defiance 


FIAZARDOUS SITUATION OF CAPTAIN MACKRA. 243 

to all the laws of honor, and, indeed, are regardless of all 
laws human aiid divine. Captain England was so steady 
to Captain Mackra, that he informed him, it would be with 
no small difficulty and address that he would be able to 
preserve him and his men from the fury of the crew, who 
were greatly enraged at the resistance which had beer 
made. He likewise acquainted him, that his influence 
and authority among them was giving place -to that ol 



Captain Mackra, and the Pirate with a wooden leg. 


1 Captain Taylor, chiefly because the dispositions of the lat- 
ter were more savage and brutal. They therefore consult- 
i ed between them what was the best method to secure the 
1 favor of Taylor, and keep him in good humor. Mackra 
: made the punch to flow in great abundance, and employ- 
j ed every artifice to soothe the mind of that ferocious 
I villain. 

A singular incident was also very favorable to the un- 
I fortunate captain. It happened that a pirate, with a pro- 
digious pair of whiskers, a wooden leg, and stuck round 


244 ^ ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ENGLAND. 

with pistols, came blustering and swearing upon the quar- 
ter deck, inquiring “ where was Captain Mackra.’’ He 
naturally supjiosod that this barbarous-looking fellow would 
be his executioner ; but, as he approached, he took the 
captain by the hand, swearing “ that he was an honest fel- 
low, and that he had formerly sailed with him, and would 
stand by him ; and let him see the man that would touch 
him.” This terminated the dispute, and Captain Ta} lor s 
disposition was so ameliorated with punch, that he con- 
sented that the old pirate ship, and so many bales of clotli, 
should be given to Mackra, and then sank into the arms 
of intoxication. Ehgland now pressed ‘Mackra to hasten 
away, lest the ruffian, upon his becoming sober, should not 
only retract his word, but give liberty to the crew to cut 
him and his men to pieces. 

But the gentle temper of Captain England, and his gen- 
erosity tow^ards the unfortunate Mackra, proved the organ 
of much calamity to himself. The crew, in general, deem- 
ing the kind of usage which Mackra had received, incon- 
sistent with piratical policy, they circulated a report, that 
he was coming against them with the Company’s Ibrcc. 
The result of these invidious reports was to deprive Eng- 
land of his command, and to excite these cruel villains to 
put him on shore, with three others, upon the island of 
Mauritius. If England and his small company had not 
been destitute of every necessary, they might have made 
a comfortable subsistence here, as the island abounds with 
deer, hogs, anCl other animals. Dissatisfied, however, 
with their solitary situation. Captain England and his three 
men exerted their industry and ingenuity, and formed a 
small boat, with which they sailed to Madagascar, where 
they subsisted upon the generosity of some more foitunate 
piratical companions. 

Captain Taylor detained some of the officers and men 
belonging to Captain Mackra, and having repaired their 
vessel, sailed for India. The day before thay made land, 
they espied two ships to the eastward, and supposing them 
to be English, Captain Taylor ordered one of the officers 
of Mackra’s ship to communicate to him the private sig- 
nals between the Company’s ships, swearing that if he did 
not do so immediately, he would cut him into pound pie- 


PRISONERS PUT TO THE TORTURE. 


245 


ces. But the poor man being unable to give the informa- 
|tion demanded, was under tiie necessity of enduring^their 
threats. Arrived at the vessels, fliey found that they were 
two Moorish ships, lad'en with horses. The pirates brought 
the captains and merchants on board, and tortured them in 
a barbarous manner, to constrain them to tell where they 
had hid their treasure. They were, however, disappoint- 
ed ; and the next morning they discovered land, and at 
the same time a fleet on shore plying to windward. In 
this situation they were at a considerable loss liow to dis- 
pose of their prizes. To let them go would lead to their 
discovery, and thus defeat the design of their voyage; and 
it was a distressing matter to sink the men and the horses, 
though many of tliem were for adopting that measure. 
They, however, brought- them to anchor, threw all the 
sails overboard, and cut one of the masts half through. 

While they lay at anchor, and were employed in taking 
in water, one of the above-mentioned fleet moved towards 
them with English colors, and was answered by t!ie pirate 
witii a red ens’gn ; but they did not hail each other. At 
night they left the Muscat ships, and sailed after the fleet. 
About four next morning, the pirates were in the midst of 
the fleet, but seeing their vast superiority, were greatly at 
a loss what method to adopt. The Victory had become 
leaky, and their hands were so-few in'numl)er, that it only 
remained for them to deceive, if possible, tlie English 
squadron. They were unsuccessful in gaining any thing 
out of that fleet, and had only the wretched satisfaction of 
burning a single galley. They however that day seized a 
galliot laden with cotton, and marie inquiry of the men 
cor.cerning the fl^'ct. They protested that they had not 
seen a ship since they left Gogo, and earnestly implored 
their mercy ; l)ut, instead of treating them with lenity, 
they put them to tlie rack, in. order to extort farther con- 
fession. ‘The day following, a fresh easterly wind blew 
hard, and rent the galliot’s sails; upon this the pirates [)ut 
her company iido a l>oat, with nothing but a try-sail, no 
provisions, and only four gallons of water, and, though 
they were out of sight of land, left them to shift for them- 
selves. ' 

It may be proper to inform our readers, that one Angria 

21 * 


246 


ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ENGLAND. 


an Indian prince, of considerable territory and strength , 
had proved a troublesome enemy to Europeans, and })ar 
ticularly to the English. • Calaba was his princi]>al fort, 
situated not many leagues from Bombay, and he posses .*(1 
an island in sight of the port, from whence he molested 
the Company’s ships. His art in bribing the ministers of 
the Great Mogul, and the shallowness of the water, that 
prevented large ships of war from approaching, were the 
principal causes of his safety. 

The Bombay fleet, consisting of four grabs, the London 
and the Candois, and two other ships, with a galliot, hav- 
ing an additional thousand men on board for this e-nter- 
prise, sailed to attack a fort belonging to. Angr’a upon the 
Malabar coast. Though their strength was great, yet they 
were totally unsuccessful in their enterprise. It was this 
fleet returning home that our pirates discovered upon the 
present occasion. Upon the sight of the pirates, the com- 
modore of the He^ intimated to Mr. Brown, the general, 
that as they had no orders to fight, and had gone u})on a 
diflerent purpose, it would be improper for them to en- 
gage. Informed of the loss of this favorable opportunity 
of destroying the robbers, the governor of Bombay was 
highly enraged, and giving the command of the fleet to 
Captain Mackra, ordered him to pursue and engage them 
wherever they should be found. 

The pirates having barbarously sent away the galliot 
with her men, they arrived southward, and between Goa 
and Carwar they heard several guns, so that they came to 
anchor, and sent their boat to reconnoitre, which returned 
next morning with the intelligence of two grabs lying at 
anchor in the road. They accordingly weighed, ran to- 
wards the bay, and in the morning were discovered by the 
grabs, who had just time to run under India-Diva castle 
■n»r protection. This was the more vexatious to tlie pi- 
-jitcs, as they were without water ; some of them, there- 
'^»re, were for making a descent upon the island, but that 
measure not being generally approved, tiiey sailed t<»\vards 
the south, and took a small ship, which h .d only a Dutch- 
man and two Portuguese on boiml. They sent one of 
these on shore to the captain, to inform him that, if he 
would give them some water and fresh provisions, he 


BRUTAL TREATMENT OF WOMEN. 


247 


might have his vessel returned. He replied that, if tljey 
would give him possession over the bar, he would comply 
with their request. But, suspecting the integrity of his 
design, they sailed for Lucca Deva islands, uttering dread- 
ful imprecations against the captain. 

Disappointed in finding water at these islands, they sail- 
ed to IMalinda island, and sent their boats on shore, to dis- 
cover if there was any w'ater,.or if there were any inhabi- 
tants. They returned with the information, that there was 
abundance of water, that the houses wxTe ordy inhabited 
by women and children, the men having fled at the ap- 
pearance of the ships. They accordingly hastened to sup- 
ply themselves with water, used the defenceless women in 
a brutal manner, destroyed many of their fruit-trees, and 
set some of their houses on fire. 

While off the island, they lost several of their anchors by 
the rockiness of the ground ; and one day blowing more 
violently than usual, they were forced to take to sea, leav- 
ing several [)eople and most of the water-casks ; but when 
the gale was over, they returned to take in their men and 
water. Their provisions being nearly exhausted, they re- 
solved to visit the Dutch at Cochin. After sailing three 
days, they arrived off Tel lechery, and took a small vessel 
belonging to Governor Adams, and brought the master on 
board, very much intoxicated, v^ho informed them of the 
expedition of Captain Mackra. This intelligence raised 
their utmost indignation. “A villain!” said they, “to 
whom we have given a ship and {)resents, to come against 
us 1 he ought to be hanged ; and since we cannot show 
our resentment to him, let us hang the dogs his people, 
who wish him well, and w'ould do the same, if they w^ere 
I clear.” “ If it be in my power,” said the quarter-master, 
“ both masters and oflicers of ships shall be carried with us 
for the future, only to- plague them. Now, England, we 
mark him for this.” 

They proceeded to Calicut, and attempting to cut out a 
ship, were frevented by some guns placed upon the shore. 
One of Captain Mackra’s officers was under deck at this 
I time, and was commanded both by the captain and quar- 
ter-master to tend the braces on the booms, in hopes that a 
shot would take him before they got clear. He was about 


248 


ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ENGLAND. 


to have excused himself, but they threatened to shoot him ; 
and when he expostulated, and claimed their promise to 
put him on shore, he received an unmerciful beating from 
the cpiartcr-master ; Captain Taylor, to whom that duty 
belonged, being lame of his hands. 

The day following they met a Dutch galliot, laden with 
.imestone, bound for Calicut, on board of which they put 
one Captain Fawkes; and some of the crew interced- 
ing for Mackra’s oflicer, Taylor and l^is party replied, “ If 
w’e let this dog go, who has overheard our designs and re- 
solutions, he will overset all our w’ell-advised resolutions, 
and particularly this supply w^e are seeking for at the hands 
of the Dutch.” 

When they arrived at Cocliin, they sent a letter on 
shore by a fishing-boat, entered the road, and anchored, 
each ship saluting the fort w'ith eleven guns, and receiv- 
ing the same number in return. This was the token of 
their welcome reception, and at night a large boat was 
sent, deeply laden with liquors and all kinds of provisions, 
and in it a servant of John Trumpet, one of their friends, 
to inform them that it would be necessary for them to run 
farther south, w here they would be supplied both with pro- 
visions and naval stores. 

They had scarcely anchored at the appointed place, 
when several canoes, with white and black inhabitants, 
came on board, and continued without interruption to per- 
form all the good offices in their power during their stay 
in that place. In particular, John Trumpet brought a 
large boat of arrack, and sixty bales of sugar, as a present 
from the governor and his daughter; the former receiving 
in return a table-clock, and the other a gold u atch, the 
spoil of Captain Mackra’s vessel. When their provisions 
were all on b ard. Trumpet was rewarded w’ith about six 
or seven thousand pounds, was saluted with three cheers, 
and eleven guns ; and several handsful of silver were 
thrown into the boat, for the men to gather at pleasure. 

There being little whnd that night, they remained at an- 
chor, and in thejnorning were surprisv'^d with the return 
of Trumpet, briii^ing another boat equally well stored with 
_ provisions, with chests of piece-goods and ready-made 
clothes, and along vvkh him the fiscal of the place. At 


THE PIRATES CUT AND RUN. 


249 


noon tlioy espied a sail towards the south, and immedi- 
ately ^iivc cluise, hut she out-sailed them, and sheltered 
under the fort ol’ Coeliin. Inrormed that they wouM not 
be molested in taking her from under the castle, they sail- 
ed towards her, but upon the fort firing two guns, they ran 
od lor fear ol' more seri(7us altercation, and returning, an- 
chored in their former station. They were too welcome 
visitants to he permitted’ to depart, so long as John 
TVump(;t could contrive to detain them. With tins view 
he informed them, that in a few days a rich vessel, com- 
manded by the Governor of Bombay’s brother, was to pass 
that way. 

That government is certainly in a wretched state, which 
is under the necessity of trading with pirates, in order to 
enrich itself; nor will such a government hesitate by wha 
means an injury can he re[)aired, or a fortune gained 
Neither can langutige describe the low and base principles 
of a government which could employ such a miscreant as 
John Trumpet in its service. He was a tool in the hands 
of the government of (’ochin ; and, as’ the dog said in the 
fable, “ What is done by the master’s orders, is the mas- 
ter’s action or, as the same sentiment is, perhaps, bet- 
ter expressed in the legal axiom; “ Q,ui facit*per alium 
facit per se.” 

While under the direction of Trumpet, some proposed 
to proceed directly to Madagascar, but others were dis- 
posed to wait until they should be provided with a store 
ship. The majority being of the latter opinion, they steer- 
ed to the south, and seeing a ship on shore were desirous 
to get near her, hut the wind preventing, they separated, 
the one sailing northward and the other southward, in 
hopes of securing her when she should come out, whatev- 
er direction she might take. They were now, boweyer, 
almost entrapj)ed in the snare laid for them. In tlie morn- 
ing, to their astonishment and consternation, instead of be- 
ing called to give chase, five large ships were near, which 
made a signal for the pirates to bear down. The pirates 
were in the greatest dread lest it should i^e Captain Mac- 
kra, of whose activity and courage they had formerly suf- 
ficient proof. The pirate ships, however, Joined and fled 
j with all speed from the fleet. In three hours’ chase none 


% 


250 


ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ENGLAND. 


of the. fleet gained upon them, except one grab. The re- 
mainder of the day was calm, and, to their great consola- 
tion, the next day this dreaded fleet was entirely out of 
sight. . 

Their alarm being over, they resolved to spend the 
Christmas in feasting and mirth. In order to drown care, 
and to banish thought. Nor did one day suffice, but they 
continued their revelling for several days, and made so 
"'ree with their fresh provisions, that in their next cruise 
they were put upon short allowance ; and it was entirely 
owing to the sugar and other provisions that were in the 
leaky ship that they were preserved from absolute star 
vation. 

In this condition they reached the island of Mauritius, 
refitted the Victory, and left that place with the following 
inscription written upon one of the walls : “ Left this place 
on tljp 5th of April, to go to Madagascar for Limos.” This 
they did lest any visit should be paid to the place during 
their absence. Thoy, howevef, did not sail directly for 
Madagascar, but the island of Mascarius, where they for- 
tunately fell in with a^ Portuguese of seventy guns, lying at 
anchor. The greater part of her guns had been thrown 
overboard, her masts lost, and the .whole vessel disabled 
by a storm ; she therefore, became an easy prey to the pi- 
rates. Conde de Ericeira, Viceroy of Goa, who went upon 
the fruitless expedition against Angria the Indian, and sev- 
eral passengers, w^ere on board. Besides other valuable 
articles and specie, they found in her diamonds to the 
amount of four millions of dollars. Supposing that the 
ship w^as an Englishman, the Viceroy came on board next 
morning, was made.prisoner, and obliged to pay two thou- 
sand dollars as a ransom for himself and the other prison- 
ers. After this he was sent ashore, with an express en- 
gagement to leave a ship to convey him and his com- 
panions to another port. 

Meanwhile, the pirates received intelligence that a ves- 
sel was to the leew^ard of the island, which they pursued 
and captured, ^ut instead of performing their promise to 
the Viceroy, which they could easily have done, they sent 
the Ostender along with some of fheir men to Madagascar, 
to inform their friends pf their success, without instruc- 


251 


DIVISION MADE OF TUE DIAMONDS. 

lions to prepare masts for the prize ; and they soon follow- 
ed, carrying two thousand negroes in tlie Portuguese 
vessel. 

Madagascar is an island larger than Great Britain, situ- 
ated upon the eastern coast of Africa, abounding with ail 
sorts of provisions, such as oxen, goats, sheep, poultry, fish, 
citrons, oranges, tamarinds, dates, cocoa-nuts, bananas, 
wax, honey, rice, cotton, indigo, and all other fruits common 
in that quarter of the globe ; ebony, of which lances are 
made, guns of several kinds, and many other valuable pro- 
ductions. Here, in St. Augustine’s bay, the. ships some- 
times stop to take in water, when they make the inner pas- 
sage to India, and do not intend to stop at Johanna. 

VVhen the Portuguese ship arrived here, they received 
intelligence that the Ostender had taken advantage of an 
hour when the men were intoxicated, had risen upon them, 
ind carried the’ ship to Mozambique, from whence the 
governor ordered her to Goa. 

The pirates now divided their plunder, receiving forty- 
two diamonds per man, or in smaller proportion according 
to their magnitude. A foolish jocular fellow, who had 
received a large diamond of the value of forty-tw'o, was 
highly displeased, and so went and broke it in pieces, 
exclaiming, that he had many more shares than either of 
them. Some, contented with their treasure, and unwilling 
to run the risk of losing what they possessed, and perhaps 
their lives also, resolved to remain*' with their friends at 
Madagascar, under the stipulation that the longest livers 
should enjoy all the booty. The number of adventurers 
being now lessened, they burned the Victory, cleaned the 
Cassandra, and the remainder went on board her under the 
command of Taylor, whom w^e must leave for a little 
while, in order to give an account of the squadron which 
arrived in India in 1721. 

When the commodore arrived at the Cape, he received 
a letter that had been written by the Governor of Pondi- 
cherry to the Governor of Madras, informing him that the 
piratesVere strong in the Indian seas ; that they had eleven 
sail, and fifteen hundred men ; but adding, that many of 
them retired about that time to Brazil and Ghinea, while 
others fortified themselves at Madagascar, Mauritius, Jo- 


252 


ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ENGLAND. 


hanna, nnd Mohilla ; and that a crew under tlie comn^and 
of Condin, in a ship called the J)rngon, had captured a 
.vessel with thirt(*en lacks of rupees on bond, and having 
divided their plunder, had taken up their reMdence with 
their friends at Madagascar. 

Upon receiving this intelligence, Commodore Matthews 
sailed for these islands, as the most probable place of suc- 
cess. He endeavored to prevail on England, at St. Mary's, 
to communicate to him what information he could give 
respecting the pirates; but England declined, thinking tliat 
this would be almost to surrender at discretion. He then 
took up the guns of the Jubilee sloop that were on board, 
and the men-of-war made several cruises in search of the 
pirates, but to no purpose. I’he squadron was then sent 
down to Bombay, was saluted by the fort, and after these 
exploits returned home. 

The pirate. Captain Taylor, in the Cassandra, now fitted 
up the Portuguese man-of-war, and resolved upon another 
voyage to the Indies ; but, informed that four men-of-war 
had been sent after the pirates in that quarter, he changed 
his determination, and sailed for Africa. Arrived there, 
they put in a place near ihe river Spirito Sane to, on tjie 
coast of Monomotapa. As there was no correspondence 
by land, nor any trade carried on by sea to this place, they 
thought that it would afford a safe retreat. To their as- 
tonishment, however, when they approached the shore, it 
being in the dusk of*the evening, they were accosted by 
several shot. They immediately anchored, and in the 
morning saw that the shot had come from a small fort of 
six guns, which they attacked and destroyed. 

This small fort was erected by the Dutch East India 
Company a few weeks before, and committed to the care 
of 150 men, the one half of w^hom had perished by sick- 
ness or other causes. Upon their petition, si.xteen of these 
were admitted into the society of the pirates; and the rest 
would also have been received, had they not been Dutch- 
men, to whom they had a rooted aversion. 

In this place they continued during four months, refitting 
their vessels, and amusing themselves wdth all manner of 
diversions, until the scarcity ot their provisions awakened 
them to industry and exertion. They, however, left several 


SURRENDER OF THE PIRATES. 


253 


parcels of goods to the starving Dutchmen, wdiich Mynheer 
joyfully exchanged for provisions with the next vessel that 
touched at that fort. 

Leaving that place, they were divided in opini m what 
course- to steer ; some went on board the Po.rtugue.'e prize, 
and, sailing for Madagascar, abandoned ^the pirate life ; 
and others going on board the Cassandra,' sailed for the 
Spanish West Indies. The Mermaid man-of-war, return-, 
ing from a convoy, got near the pi-ates, and would have 
attacked them, but a Consultation being held, it was deemed 
inexpedient, and thus the pirates escaped. A sloop was, 
however, dispatched to Jamaica with the intelligence., and 
th<i Lancaster was sent after them ; but they were some 
days too late, the pirates having, with all their riches, s?ir- 
rendered to the Governor of Poitobeilo. 

22 


ACCOUNT OF 


THE L Y N IS PIRATES, 

And Thomas Veal, who ivas buried in his cave by the 
Great Earthquake, 


In the year 1658 there was a great earthquake in New- 
England. Some time previous, on one pleasant evening, 
a little after sunset, a small vessel was seen to anchor near 
the mouth of Saugus river. A boat-was presently lowered, 
from her side, into which four men descended, and moved 
up the river a considerable distance, when they landed, 
and proceeded directly into the woods. They had been 
noticed by only a few individuals; but in those early times, 
when the people were surrounded by danger, and easily 
susceptible of alarm, such an incident was well calculated 
to awaken suspicion, and *in the course of the evening the 
intelligence was conveyed to many houses. In the morn- 
ing, the people naturally directed their eyes toward the 
shore, in search of the strange vessel — but she M’as gone, 
and no traCe could .be found eitlier of her or fier singular 
crew. It was afterwards ascertained that, on that mornino; 
one of th6 men at the Iron* Works, on going into the foun- 
dry, discovered a paper, on which was written, tliat if a 
quantity, of shackles, handcuffs, hatchets, and other articles 
of iron manufacture, were made and deposited, witli secre- 
cy, in a certain place in the woods, which wais particularly 
designated, an amount of silver, to their full va’ue, would 
be found in their place. The articles were made in a few 
days, and placed in conformity with the directions. On 
the next morning they were gone, and the money was 
found according to the promise ; but though a watch had 
been kept, no vessel was seen. Some months after\^ard. 
the four men returned, ami selected one of the most seclu- 
ded and romantic spots in the woods of Saugus, for their 


THREE OF THE LYNN PIRATES TAKEN. 255 

abode. The place of their retreat was a deep narrow val 
ley, shut in on two sides by craggy, precipitous rocks, and 
shrouded on the others by thick pines, hemlocs and cedars, 
between which there was only one small spot, to which the 
rays of the sun at noon could penetrate. ' On climbing up 
the rude and almost perpendicular steps of the reckon 
either side, the eye could command a full view of the bay 
on the south, and a prospect of a considerable portion of 
the surrounding country. The place of their retreat has 
ever since been called the Pirates’ Glen, and they could 
not have selected a spot on the coast for many miles, more 
favorable for the purposes both of concealment ond obser- 
vation. Even at this day, when the neighborhood has be- 
come thickly peopled, it is still a .lonely and desolate place, 
and probably not one in a hundt;ed of the inhabitants has 
ever descended into its silent and gloomy recess. There 
the pirates built a small hut, made a garden, and dug a 
well, the appearance of whiph is still visible. It has been 
supposed that they buried money ; but though people have * 
dug there, and in- many other places, none has ever been 
found. After residing there some time, their retreat 
became known, and one of the king’s cruizers appeared 
on the coast. They were traced to their glen, and three 
of them were taken, and carried to England, where it is 
probable they were executed. • The other, whose name 
was Thomas Veal, escaped to a rock in the woods, about 
two miles to the north, in which w^as a -spacious cavern, 
where the pirates had previously deposited some of their 
plunder. There the fugitive fixed his residence, and prac- 
tised the trade of a shoemaker, occasionally coming dow^n 
to the village to olitain articles of sustenance. He contin- 
ued his residence till the great earthquake in 1658, when 
the top of the rock was loosened, and crushed down into 
the mouth of the cavern, enclosing the unfortunate inmate 
in its unyielding prison. It has ever since been called the 
Pirate’s Dungeon. A part of the cavern is still open, and 
is much visited by the curious. 

This rock is situated on a lofty range of thickly wooded 
hills, and commands an extensive view of the ocean, foi 
fifty miles both north and south. A view from the top of 
it, at once convinces the beholder thai it would be iinpos* 


256 


HISTORY OF TUK LYNN PI RATES. 


Bible to select a place more convenient for the haunt of a 
gang of pirates ; as all vessels bound in and out L»f the 
harbors of lloston, Salem, and the adjacent ports, can be 
distinctly seen from its summit. Saugus river meanders 
among the hills a short distance to the south, and its nu- 
merous creeks which extend among thick bushes, would 
alTord good places to secrete boats, until such time as the 
pirates descried a sail, when they could instantly row down 
the river, attack and plunder them, and with their booty 
return to the cavern. This was evidently the-r mode of 
procedure. On an open space in front of the rock arc still 
to be seen distinct traces of a small garden spot, uifd in tiie 
corner is a small well, full of stones and rubbish ; the foun- 
dation of the wall round the garden remains, and shows 
that the spot was of a tiiiingular shape, and was well se- 
lected for the cultivation of potatoes and common vegeta- 
bles. The aperture in the rock is only about five feet in 
height, and extends only fifteon feet into the rock. 'Fhe 
needle is strongly attra.cted around this, either by the i>res- 
ence of magnetic iron ore or some metallic substance bur- 
ied in the interior. 

The Pirates’ Glen, w’hich is some^ distance from this, is 
one of Nature’s wddest and most picturesijue spots, and 
the cellar of the mrate’s Imt remains Ho the present time, 
as does a clear space, which was evidently cultivated at 
gome remote period. 






i N. 

* 


V • • 



N.‘ 



I 




•» 




» 








V 








I 


♦ 


HISTORY OF 



THE LADRONE PIRATES; 

And their Depredations on the Coast of China : with an 
Account of the Enterprises and Victories of ^distress 
Ching, a Female Pirate. 


A Ladrone Pirate, cutting off the Heads of the Chinese 

The Ladrones. as they were christened by the Portu- 
guese at Macao, were originally a disafTected set of Chi- 
nese, that revolted against ‘the oppression of the Manda 
rins. The first scene of their depredations was .the West- 
ern coast, about Cochin China, where they began by at- 
tacking small trading vessels in row boats, carrying from 
thirty to forty men each. They continued this system of 
piracy, and thrived and increased in numbers under it, for 
several years. At lengtli the fame of their success, and 


260 


HISTORY OK THE LADRONE PIRATES. 


the oppression and horrid poverty and want that many oi 
the lower orders of Chinese labored under, had the ellect 
of augmenting* their bands with astonishing rapidity. Fish- 
ermen and other destitute classes Hocked by hundreds t.i 
their standard, and their audacity growing with their num- 
;j)ers, they not merely swept the -coast, but blockaded all 
the rivers and attacked and took several large government 
war junks, mounting i'rom ten to filteen guns each. — 
T'hese junks being added to their shoals of boats, the pi- 
rates formed a tremendous fleet, which was always along 
siiore, so that no small vessel could safely trade on the 
coas<. When tliey lacked prey on the sea, they laid the 
land under tribute. They were at first accu: tomed to go 
on shore and attack the maritime villages, but becoming 
bolder, like tlie.Buccaneers, made long inland journeys, and 
surprised and plundered even large fov ns. 

An energetic attempt made by the Chinese government 
to destroy them, only increased their strength ; for in their 
first rencounter with the,, pirates, twenty eight of the Im- 
perial junks struck, and the remaining twelve saved them- 
selves, by a precipitate retreat. 

The captured junks, fully equipped for war, were a great 
acijuis’.tion to the robbers, whose numbers now increased 
more rapidly than ever. They were in their .plenitude of 
power in the year 1809, when Mr. G!ass{)ool5 had the mis- 
fortune to fall into their hands, at which, time that gentle- 
man supposed their force to consist of 70,000 men, navi- 
gating eight hundred large vessels, and one thousand small 
ones, including row boats. They w’ere divided into six 
large scpiadrons, under difl’erent flags ; — the red, the yellow, 
the green, tlie blue,' tiie black and- the w’hite. ‘‘ The.'^e 
wasps of the Ocean,” as a Chinese historian calls them, 
were further . distinguished by the names of their respec- 
tive commanders: by the^e commanders a certain Ckii\g~ 
yih had been the most distinguished by his valor and con- 
duct. By degrees, Ching obtained almost a supremacy of 
command over the wduile united fleet ; and so confident 
was this robber in his strength and dailv augmenting 
means, Uiat he as])ired to tlie dignity of a king, and went 
60 far as openly to declare his j)atriotic intention of hurling 
the present Tartar family from the throne of China, aiui 


MISTRESS CHING^S CODE OF LAWS. 


£61 


of restoring the ancient CJiinese dynasty. But unfor- 
tunately for the ambitious -.pirate, h^ perished in a heavy 
gale, and instead of placing a- sovereign on the Chinese 
throne, he and his lofty aspirations were buried in the yel- 
low sea. And now ccpnes the most remarkable passage in* 
the liistory of these pirates — remarkable with any class of 
men, but ‘doubly so among the Chinese, who enteitain 
more than the general oriental opinion of the inferiority of 
the fair sex. On the death of Ciiing-yi/i, his h gitimate 
wife had sufficient influence over the freebooters to induce 
them to recognize her authority in the place of her de- 
cease I husband’s, and she appointed one Vaou as lier lieu- 
tenant and prime minister, and provided that she slnniicl 
be considered the mistress or commander-in-chief of the 
united squadrons. 

Tins l^aou had been a poor fisher-boy, picked up with 
/lis father at sea, while fisliing, by Cking-yili, whose good 
will and fgvor he had the fortune to captivate, and by 
whom, before that pirate’s death, he had been made a cap 
tain. Instead of declining under the rule of a woman, 
the pirates became more enterprising than ever. Ching’s 
widow' w'as clever as well as brave, and so was her lieuten- 
ant Paou. Between them they drew up a code of law for 
tile better regulation of the freebooters. 

In this it was decreed, that if any man went privately 
on shore, or did. what they called “transgressing the bars,’l 
he should have his ears slit in the presence of the whole 
fleet ; a repetition of the same unlaw'fiil act, was death ! 
J\o one article, how^ever trifling in value, w^as to be pri 
vately subtracted from the booty or plundered goods. Ev- 
ery thing they took w'as regularly entered on the registei 
of their stores. The following clause of Mistress Chirig^s 
code is still more delipate. No person shall debauch at 
his pleasure captive women, taken in the villages and open 
places, and brought on board a ship ; he must first reejuest 
the ship’s purser for perpiission, and then go uside in the 
ship’s liold. To use violence, against any woman, or to 
.wed her, wdthout permission, shall be punished with death. 

' By these means an' admirable discipline w'as maintained 
on board the ships, and the peasantry on shore never let 
the pirates want for gunpowder, provisions, or any othei 
22* [outset,] 


262 


HISTORY OF THE LADRONE PIRATES. 


necessary. On a piratical expedition, either to advance or 
retreat without orders, was a capital offence. Under these 
philosophical institutions, 'and tlie guidance of. a woman, 
the robbers continued to scour the China sea, plundering 
eiery vessel they came near. The Great War Mandarin, 
riwolang-lin sailed from the Bocca Tigris into the sea to 
Kght the pirates. Paou gave liim a tremendous drubbing, 
an gained a splendid victory. In this battle which lasted 
from morning to night, the Mandarin Kwolang-lin, a despe- 
raie fellow himself, levelled a gun at Paou, who fell on the 
deck as the piece went off ; his disheartened crew con- 
cluded it was all over with him. But Paou was quick 
eyoci. He had seen the unfriendly intention of the man- 
darin, and thrown himself down. The Great Mandarin 
was soon after taken with fifteen junks ; three were sunk. 
The pirate lieutenant would have dealt mercifully with 
him, but the fierce 6ld man suddenly seized hini by the hair 
on the crown of his head, and grinned at hinri, so that he 
might provoke him to slay him. But even then Paou 
spoke kindly to him. Upon this he committed suicide, 
being seventy years of age. 

After several victories and reverses, the Chinese Tiis- 
torian says our men-of-war escorting some hierchant ships, 
happened to meet the pirate chief nicknamed “ The Jew- 
el of the Crew” cruising at sea. The traders became ex- 
ceedingly frightened, but our commander said, — This not 
being the flag of the widow Ching-yih, we are a match for 
them, therefore we will attack and conquer them. Then 
ensued a battle ; they attacked each other with guns and 
stones, and many people were killed and wounded. The 
fighting ceased leewards evening, and began again next 
morning. The pirates and the men-of-war were very close 
to each other, and they boasted mutually about their 
St; ngth and valor. The traders remained at some dis- 
ta ce ; they saw the pirates mixing gunpowdw in their 
beverage, — they looked instantly, red about the face and 
t!ie eyes, and then fought desperately. This fighting con- 
tinued three days and nights incessantly ; at last, becom- 
ing tired on both sides, they separated. 

To understand this inglorious bulletin, the reader must 
emomber that many of the combatants only handled 


GREAT SLAUGTER OF THE CHINESE. 26^ 

♦ 

bows and arrows, and pelted stones, and that Chinese 
powder and guns are both exceedingly bad. The pathos 
of the conclusion does somewhat remind one of the irish- 
man’s despatch during the American war, — “ It was a 
bloody battle while it lasted ; and the searjent of marines 
lost his cartouche box.” 

The Admiral Ting River was sent to sea against them. 
This man was surprised at anchor by the ever vigilant 
Paou, to whom many fishermen and other people on the 
coast, must have acted as friendly spies. Seeing escape 
impossible, and that his officers' stood pale and inactive by 
the fiag-staflf, the Admiral conjured them, by their fathers 
and mothers, their wives and children, and by the hopes 
of brilliant reward if they succeeded, and of vengeance 
if they perished, to do their duty, and the combat began. 
The Admiral had the good fortune, at the onset, of killing 
with one of his great guns the pirate captain, “The Jew- 
el of the Crew.” But the robbers swarmed thicker and 
thicker around him, and when the dreaded Paou lay him 
by the board, w.thout help or hope, the Mandarin killed 
himself. An immense number of his men perished in the 
sea, and tw'enty-five vessels were lost. After his defeat, it 
w'as resolved by the Chinese Government to cutoff all 
their supplies of food, and starve them put. All vessels 
that were in port were ordered to remain there, and those 
at sea, or on the coast ordered to return with all speed. 
But the pirates, full of confidence, now resolved to attack 
the harbors themselves, and to ascend the rivers, which 
are navigable for many miles up the country, and rob the 
villages. The consternation was great when the Chinese 
saw them venturing above the government forts. 

The pirates separated : Mistress Ching plundering in 
one place, Paou in another, and O-po-tae in another, &c. 

. It was at this time that Mr. Glasspoole had the ill fortune 
to fall into their power. This gentleman, then an officer 
in the East India Company’s ship the Marquis of Ely, 
which was anchored under an island about twelve miles 
from Macao, was ordered to , proceed to the latter place 
with a boat to procure a pilot. He left the ship in one of 
the cutters, with seven British seamen well armed, on the 
T7ih September, 1809. He reached Macao in safety, and 


261 


HISTORY OF* THE LADRONE PIRATES. 


done his business there and procured a piloi^ 
returned towards the ship tlie following day. Ihit, iintfjr- 
lun-dtely, the ship had weighed anchor and was under sail, 
and in consequence of squaily weather, accom; aided with 
thick fogs, the boat could not reach her, and Mr. G asspoole 
and his men and the pilot were left at sea, in an open boat. 
‘‘ Our situation.” says that gentleman. “ was truly disircs- 
sing — night closing fast, with a threatening appearance, 
blowing fresh, with a hard rain and a heavy sea; our boat 
very leaky, without a compass, anclujr, or provisions, and 
drifting fast on a lee-shore, surrounded with dangerous 
rocks, and inhabited by the most b:ft*barous pirates.” 

After suffering dreadfully for three whole days, Mr. 
Gkisspoole, bv the advice of the pilot, made for a narrow 
channel, where he presently discovered three large boats at 
ancJior, w'hich, on seeing the English boat, w'eighed and 
made sail towards it. The pilot told Mr. Glasspoole they 
were Ladrones, and that if they captured the boat, they 
would certainly put them all to death ! After rowing 
tremendously for six hours they escaj.'ed these boats, but 
on the following morning falling in with a large fleet c)f 
•the pirates, which the English mi- took for fishing-boats, 
they were captured. 

“About twenty savage-looking villains,” says Mr. Glass- 
])Oo!e, “ who wxhe stowed at the bottom of the boat, leaped 
on board us.* They were armed with a short sword in 
either hand, one of which they laved upon our necks, and 
pointed the other to our breasts, keeping their eyes fixed 
on their officer, waiting his signal to cut or desist. Seeing 
we wxre incapable of making any resistance, the officer 
sheathed his sword, and the others immediately followed 
his example. They then dragged us into their boat,, and 
carried us on board one of their junks, with the most sav- 
age demonstrations of joy, and, as we supposed, to torture 
and put us to a cruel death.” 

When on board the junk they rifled the Englishmen, and 
brought heavy chains to chain them to the deck. 

“At this time a ‘boat came, and took me, with one of my 
men and an interpreter, on board the chief’s vessel. I was 
then taken before the chief. He was seated on deck, in a 
large chair, dressed in purple silk, with a black turban on. 


THE INTERPRETER PUT TO THE TORTURE. 


265 


[le appeared to be about thirty years of %ge, a stout com- 
manding-looking man. He took me by the coat, and drew 
me close to him ; then questioned the interpreter very 
strictly, asking who we were, and what was our business in 
that part of the country. I told him to say we were Eng- 
lishmen in distress, having been four days at sea without , 
provisions. This he would not credit, but said we were ^ 
bad men, and that he would put us all to death ; and then 
ordered some men to put the interpreter to the torture 
until he confessed the truth. Upon this occasion, a La- 
drone, who had been once to England and spoke a few 
words of English, came to the chief, and Xold him we were 
really Englishmen, and that we had plenty of money, 
adding that the buttons on my coat were gold. The chief 
then ordered us some coarse brown rice, of which we made 
a tolerable meal, having eaten nothing for nearly four days, 
except a few green oranges. During our repast, a number 
of Ladrone.^ crowded round us, examining our clothes and 
hair, and giving us every possible annoyance. Several of 
them brought swords, and laid them on our necks, making 
signs that they would soon take us on shore, and cut us in 
pieces, which I am sorry to say was the fate of some hun- 
dreds during my captivity. I was now summoned before 
tlie chief, who had been conversing with the interpreter : 
he said I must write to my captain, and tell him, if he did 
not send an hundred thousand dollars for our ransonfi> in 
ten days he would put us ail to deaths’ 

After vainly expostulating to lessen the ransom, Mr. 
Glasspoole wrote the letter, and a small boat came along- 
side and took it to Macao. 

Early in the night tfie fleet sailed, and anchored about 
one o’clock the following day in a bay under the island of 
Lantow, where the head admiral of Ladrones (our ac- 
quaintance Paou) was lying at anchor, with about two 
hundred vessels and a Portuguese brig they had captured 
a few days before, and the captain and part of the crew of 
which they had murdered. Early the next morning, a 
fisiiiiig-boat came to inqu’re if they had captured an Euro- 
pean boat ; they came to the vessel the English were in. 

“One of the boatmen spoke a few words of English, 
und told me he had a Ladrone-pass, and was sent by our 
23 8 


266 * HISTORY OF THE LADRONE PIRATES. 

• 

captain in search of us ; I was rather surprised to find he 
had no letter. He appeared to be well acquainted with 
the chief, and remained in his cabin smoking opium, and 
playing cards all the day. In the evening I was summoned 
with the interpreter before the chief. He questioned us in 
a much milder tone, saying, he now believed we were 
Englishmen, a people he wished to be friendly with ; and 
that if our captain would lend him seventy thousand dollars 
till he returned from his cruise up the river, he would repay 
him, and send us all to Macao. I assured him it was use- 
less writing on these terms, and unless our ransom was 
speedily settled, tlie English fleet would sail, and render 
our enlargement altogether ineflectual. He - remained 
determined, and said if* it were not sent, he would keep us, 
and make us fight, or put us to death. I accordingly 
wrote, and gaye my letter to the man belonging to the boat 
before mentioned. He said he could not return with an 
answer in less than five days. The chief now gave me 
the letter I wrote when first taken. I have never been 
able to ascertain his reasons for detaining it, but suppose 
he dared not negotiate for our ransom without orders from 
the head admiral, who I understood* was sorry a.t our being 
captured. He said the English ships would join the Man- 
darins and attack them.” ' 

While the fleet lay here, one night the Portuguese who 
were left in the captured brig murdered the Ladrones that 
were on board of fier, cut the cables, and fortunately 
escaped through the darkness of the night. 

“At day-light the next morning, the fleet, amounting to 
above five hundred sail of different sizes, weighed, to 
proceed on their intended cruise up the rivers, to levy 
jontributidns on the towns and villages. It is impossible 
to describe what were my feelings at this critical time, 
having received no answers to my letters, and the fl(.*et 
under-way to sail — hundreds of miles up a country never 
visited by Europeans, there to remain probably fi»r many 
months, which would render all opportunities of negotiating 
for our enlargement totally ineffectual ; as the on'y method 
of communication is by boats that have a pass from tne 
Ladrones, and they dare not venture above twenty milen 
from Macao, being obliged to come and go in tm night, to 


UNEXPECTED REPULSE. 


267 


avoid the Mandarins ; and if thesg boats should be detected 
in having any intercourse with the Ladrones, they are 
immediately put to death, and all tlieir relations, th«^ugh 
they had not joined in the crime, share in the puuisluneni, 
in order that not a single person of their. families should be 
left to imitate their crimes or avenge tlieir death.” 

Tlie following is a very touching incident in Mr. Glass- 
poole’s narrative. 

“ Wednesday the 26tli of September, at day-light, ve 
passed in sight of our own ships, at anchor under the island 
of Chun ‘Po. The ciiief then called me, pointed to the 
ships, and told the interpreter to tell us to look at them, 
for we sliould never see them again ! About noon we 
entered a river to the westwarcf of the Bogue, three or 
four miles from the entrance. We' passed a large town 
situated on the side of a beautiful hill, which is tributary 
to the Ladrones ; the inliabitaiits saluted them with songs 
as they passed.” 

After committing numerous minor robberies, “The La- 
drones now prepared to attack a town with a formidable 
force, collected in row-boats from the different vessels. 
They sent a messenger to the town, demanding a tribute 
of ten thousand dollars annually, saying, if these terms 
were not complied with, they would land, destroy the 
town, and murder all the inhabitants : which they would 
certainly have done, had the town ‘laid in a moie advan- 
tageous situatioit for their purpose ; but being placed out 
of the reach of their shot, they al]o1\^ed them to come to 
terms. The inhabitants agreed to pay six thousand dol- 
lars, which they were to collect by the time of our return 
down the river. This finesse had the desired effect, for 
during our absence they mounted a few guns on a hill, 
which commanded the passage, and gave us in lieu of the 
dollars, a w'arm salute on our return. 

“October the 1st, the fleet weighed in the night, dropped 
by the tide up the river, and anchored very quietly before 
a town surrounded by a thick wood. Early in the morning 
the Ladrones assembled in row-boats, and lauded ; then 
gave a shout, and rushed, into the town, sword in hand 
i’he inhabitants fled to the adjacent hills, in .numbers 
apparently superior to the Jiudrones. We may easily 


HISTORY OF THE LADROXE PIRATES. 


imagine to ourselves the horror with which these miserable 
oeople must be seized, on being obliged to leave their 
iiomes, and everything dear to them. It was a most mel- 
ancholy sight to see women in tears, clasping their infants 
in their arms, and imploring mercy for them from those 
brutal robbers ! The old and the sick, who were unable to 
fly, or make resistance, were either made prisr)ners or most 
inhumanly butchered ! The boats continued passing and 
repassing from the junks to the shore, in quick succession, 
iailen with booty, and the m^n besmeared with blood ! 
Two hundred and fifty women and several children, were 
made prisoners, and sent on board dilFerent vessels. They 
were unable to escape with the men, owing to that abom- 
inable practice of cramping their feet: several of them were 
not able to move without assistance. In fact, they might 
all be said to totter, rather than walk. Twenty of these 
poor women were sent on board the vessel I was in ; they 
were hauled on board by the hair, and treated in a most 
savage manner. When the chief came on board, he 
questioned them respecting the circumstances of their 
friends, and demanded ransoms accordingly, from six 
thousand to six hundred dollars each. He ordered the * 
birth on deck, at the after part of the vessel, where 
had nothing to shelter them from the weather, which at 
this time was very variable — the days excessively hot, and 
the nights cold, with heavy rains. The town being plun- 
dered of everything valuable, it was set on lire, and reduced 
to ashes by the morniftg. The fleet remained here three 
days, negotiating for the ransom of the prisoners, and 
plundering the fish-tanks and gardens. During all this 
time, the Chinese never ventured from the hills, though 
there were frequently not more than a hundred Ladrones 
on shore at a time, and I am sure the people on the hills 
exceeded ten times that nurnter. 

“On the 1 0th we formed a junction wdth the Black* 
squadron, and proceeded many miles up a wide and beau- 
tiful river, passing several ruins of villages that had been 
destroyed by the Black-squadron. On the 17th, the fleet 
ancliored abreast four mud batteries, which defended a 
tcwn, so entirely surrounded with wood, that it was impos- 
sible to form any idea of its size. The weather was very 


heroism of a CHINESE WOMAN. 


269 


hazy, with hard squalls of rain. The Ladrones remained 
perlectly qiiiet for two days. On the third day the forts 
commenced a brisk fire for several hours : the Ladrones did 
not return a single shot, but weighed in the night and 
dropped down the river. Tiie reasons they gave for not 
attacking the town, or returning the fire, were, that Joss 
liad not promised them success. They are very supersti- 
tious, and consult their idol on all occasions. If his omens 
are good, they will undertake the most daring enterpnses. 
The fleet now anchored opposite the ruins of the town 
where the women had .been made prisoners. Here we 
remained five or six days, during which time about an 
hundred of the women were ransomed ; the remainder 
were offered for sale amongst the Ladrones, for forty dollars 
each. The woman is considered the lawful wife of the 
purchaser, who would be put to death if he discarded her. 
Several of them leaped overboard and drowned themselves, 
r?ther than submit to such infamous degradation.’’ 

“Mei-ying, the wife of Ke-choo-yang, was very beauti 
fuC, and a pirate being about to seize her by the head, she 
abused him exceedingly. The pirate bound her to the 
yard-arm ; but on abusing him yet more, the pirate dragged 
her down and broke two of her teeth, which filled her 
mouth and jaws with blood. The pirate sprang up again 
to bind her. Ying allowed him to approach, but as soon 
as he came near her, she laid hold of his garments with her 
bleeding mouth, and threw both him and herself into the 
river, where they were drowned. The remaining captives 
of both sexes were after some months liberated, on having 
paid a ransom of fifteen thousand leang or ounces of silver.” 

“The fleet then weighed,” continues Mr. Glasspoole, 
“ and made sail down the river, to receive the ransom from 
the town before-mentioned. As we passed the hill, they 
fired several shot at us, but without effect. The Ladrones 
were much exasperated, and determined to revenge them- 
selves ; they dropped out of reach of their shot, and 
ancliored. Every junk sent about a hundred men each on 
shore, to cut paddy, and destroy their orange-groves, which 
was most eflectually performed* for several miles down the 
river. During our stay here, they received information of 
nine boats lying up a creek, laden with paddy ; boats were 


270 


HISTORY OF THE LADRONE PIRATES. 


immediately despatched after them. Next morning these 
boats were brought o the fleet ; ten or twelve men were 
taken in tfiem. As ihese had made no lesistance, the 
chief said he would all(nv them to become Ladrones, if 
they agreed to, take the usual oaths before Joss. Tjiree or 
four of them refused to comply, for which they were pun- 
ished in the following cruel manner: their hands were -tied 
behind their backs, a rope from the mast-head rove through 
tlieir arms, and hoisted three or f«)ur feet from the deck, 
and five or six men flogged them with their rattans twisted 
together till they were apparently dead ; then hoisted them 
up to the mast-head, and left thorn hanging nearly an hour, 
then lowered them down, and repeated the punishment, 
till they died or compl.ed with the oath.” 

“On the 28th of October, I received a letter from Captain 
Kay, brought by a fisherman, who had told him he would 
get us all back fx)r three thousand dollars. He advised me 
to offer three thousand, and if not accepted, extend it to 
four ; but not farther, as it was bad policy to oflfer much at 
first: at the same lime assuring me we should be liberated 
let the ransom be what it would. I offered the chief the 
three thousand, which he disdainfully refused, saying he 
w'as not to be played with ; and unless they sent ten thou- 
sand dollars, and two large guns, with several casks of 
gunpowder, he would soon put us to death. I wrote to 
Captain Kay, and informed him of the chief’s determina- 
tion, requesting, if an opportunity offered, to send us a ^ 
shift of clothes, for which it may be easily imagined we 
were much distressed, having been seven weeks without a 
shift; although constantly exposed to the weather, and ot 
course frequently wet. 

“On the first of November, the fleet sailed up a narrow 
river, and anchored at night within two miles of a town 
called Little Whampoa. In front of it was a small fort, 
and several Mandarin vessels lying in the harbor. The 
chief sent the interpreter to me, saying, 1 must order my 
men to make cartridges and clean their muskets, ready to 
go on shore in the morning. I assured the interpreter I 
should give the men no such orders, that they must please 
themselves. Soon after the chief came on board, threat- 
ening to put us all to a cruel death if we refused to obey 


HORRID SLAUGHTER. 


271 


his orders. For my own part I remained determined, am* 
advised the men not to comply, as I thought by making 
ourselves useful we should be accounted too valuable. A 
ftw hours afterwards he sent to me again, saying, that if 
myself and the quarter-master would assist them at the 
great guns, that if also the rest of the men went on shore 
and succeeded in taking the place, he would then take the 
money offered for our ransom, and give them twenty dollars 
for every Chinaman’s head they cut off. To these pro- 
posals we cheerfully acceded, in hopes of facilitating our 
deliverance. 

The Mandarin vessels continued firing, having blocked 
up the entrance of the harbor to prevent the Ladrone 
boats entering. At this the Ladrones were much exasper- 
ated, and about three hundred of them swam on shore, 
with a short sword lashed close’ ifnder each arm ; they then 
ran along the banks of the river till they came abreast of" 
the vessels, and then swam off again and boarded them. 
The Chinese thus attacked, leaped overboard, and endeav- 
ored to reach the opposite shore ; the Ladrones followed, 
and cut the greater number of them to pieces in the water. 
They next towed the vessels out of the harbor, and at- 
tacked the town with increased fury. The inhabitants 
fought about a quarter of an< hour, and then retreated to 
an adjacent hill, from which they were soon driven with 
great slaughter. After this the Ladrones returned, and 
plundered the town, every boat leaving it with lading. The 
Chinese on the hills perceiving most of the boats were off, 
rallied, and retook the town, after killing near two hundred 
Ladrones. One of my men was unfortunately lost in this 
dreadful massacre ! The Ladrones landed a second time, 
drove the Chinese out of the town, then reduqed it to 
ashes, and put all their prisoners to death, without regard- 
ing either age or sex 1 I must not omit to mention a most 
horrid (though ludicrous) circumstance which happened at 
this place. The Ladrones were paid by their chief ten 
dollars for e\‘ery Chinaman’s head they produced. One 
of my men turning the corner of a street was met by a 
Ladrone running furiously after a Chinese ; he had a drawn 
sword in his hand, and two Chinaman’s heads which he 
had cut off, tied by their tails, and slung round his neck. 


272 HISTORY OF THE LADRONE PIRATES. 

I was witness myself to some of them producing five or siY 
to obtain payment ! ♦ 

“On the 4th of INovember an order arrived from the 
admiral for the fleet to proceed immediately to Lantow, 
where he was lying with only two vessels, and three Por- 
tuguese ships and a brig constantly annoying him ; several 
sad of Mandarin vessels were daily expected. The fleet 
weighed and proceeded towards Lantow. On passing the 
i’*'‘ nd of Lintin, three ships and a brig gave chase to us. 
Tne Ladrones pre}>ared to board; but night closing we lost 
sight of them : I am convinced they altered their course 
and stood from us. These vessels were in tne pary of the 
Chinese Government, and styled themselves the Invincible 
S(juadron, cruising in the river Tigris to annihilate the 
Ladrones ! f 

“On the fifth, in the morning, the red squadron anchored 
in a bay under Lantow; the black squadrfin stood to the 
eastward. In the afternoon of the 8th of November, four 
ships, a brig, and a schooner canie off the mouth of the bay. 
At first the pirates were much alarmed, supposing them to 
be English vessels come to rescue us. Some of them 
threatened to hang us to the mast-head for them to fire at ; 
and with much difficulty we persuaded them that they 
were Portuguese. The Ladrones had only seven junks in 
a fit state for action ; these they hauled outside, and moored 
them head and stern across the bay, and manned all the 
boats belonging to the repairing vessels ready for boarding. 
The Portuguese observing these manoeuvres hove to, and 
communicated by boats. Soon afterwards they made sail 
each ship firing her broadside as she passed, but without 
effect, the shot falling far short. The Ladrones did not 
return*a single ^ot, but waved their colors, and threw up 
rockets, to induce them to come further in, which they 
might easily have done, the outside junks lying in four 
fathoms water, which I sounded myself : though the Por- 
tuguese in their letters to Macao lamented there was not 
sufficient w^ater for them to engage closer, but that they 
would certainly prevent their escaping before the Mandarin 
fleet arrived ! 

“ On the 20th of November, early in the morning, dis- 
covered an immense fleet of Mandarin vessels standing for 


FUTILE ATTACK OF THE MANDARINS 


•273 


the bay. On nearing us, they formed a line, and stood 
close in ; each vessel, as she discharged her guns, tacked 
to join the rear and reload. They kept up a constant fire 
for about two hours, when one of their largest vessels was 
blown up by a firebrand thrown from a Ladrone junk ; after 
which they kept at a more respectful distance, but contin- 
ued firing without intermission till the 2 1st at night, when 
it fell calm. The Ladrones towed out seven large vessels, 
with about two hundred row-boats to board them: but a 
breeze springing up, they made sail and escaped. I’he 
Ladrones returned into the bay, and anchored. The Por- 
tuguese and Mandarins followed, and continued a heavy 
cannonading during that night and the next day. The 
vessel 1. was in had her foremast shot away, which they 
supplied very expeditiously by taking a mainmast from a 
smaller vessel. 



Tlie War Junks of the Ladrones, 


274 


HISTORY OF THE LADRONE PIRATES. 


the 23(1, in the evening, it again fell calm; the 
Ladrones towed out fifteen jutiks in two divisions, with the 
intention of surrounding them, which was nearly effected, 
having come up with and boarded one, when a breeze 
suddenly sprang up. The captured vessel mounted 
twenty-two guns. Most of her crew leaped overboard ; 
sixty or seventy were taken, immediately cut to pieces, and 
thrown into the river. Early in the morning the Ladrones 
returned into the bay, and anchored in the same situation 
as before. The Portuguese and Mandarins followed, 
keeping up a constant fire. The Ladrones never returned 
a single shot, but always kept in readiness to board, and 
the Portuguese were careful never to allow them an 
opportunity. 

“ On the 28th, at night, they sent eight fite-vessels, 
which, if properly constructed, must have done great exe- 
cution, having every advantage they could wish for to 
effect their purpose ; a strong breeze and tide directly into 
the bay,* and the vessels lying so close together, that it was 
impossible to miss them. On their first appearance, the 
Landrones gave a general shout, supposing them to be 
Mandarin vessels on fire, but were very soon convinced of 
their mistake. They came very regularly into the centre 
of the fleet, two and two, burning furiously ; one of them 
came alongside of the vessel I was in, but they succeeded 
in booming her off. She appeared to be a vessel of about 
thirty tons ; her hold was filled with straw and wood, and 
there were a few ^mall boxes of combustibles on her deck,, 
which exploded alongside of us without doing any damage. 
The Landrones, however, towed them all on shore, extin- 
guished the fire, and broke them up for firewood. The 
Portuguese claim the credit of constructing these destruc- 
tive machines, and actually sent a des|)atch to tlj| Governor 
of Macao, saying they had destroyed at least one-third of i 
til's Landrones’ fleet, and hoped soon to effect their pur- ; 
pose by totally annihilating them ! j 

“ On the 29th of November, the Landrones being all ’ 
ready for sea, they weighed and stood boldly out, bidding j 
defiance to the invincible squadron and imperial fleet, con- i 
sisting of ninety-three war-junks, six Portuguese ships, a brig, I 
and a schooner. Immediately after the Landrones weighed, 


THE ENGLISH PRISONERS RANSOMED. 275 

they made all sail. The Landrones chased them two or 
three hours, keeping up a constant fire ; finding they did 
not come up with thetn, they hauled their wind, and stood 
to the eastward. Thus terminated the boasted blockade, 
^vhich lasted nine days, during which time the Landrones 
completed all tlieir repairs. lii this action not a single 
Landrone vessel was destroyed, and their loss about thirty 
or forty men. An American was also killed, one of three 
that remained out of eight taken in a schooner. I had 
two very narrow escapes : the first, a twelve pounder shot 
fell within three or four feet of me ; another took a piece 
out of a small brass-swivel on which I was standing. The 
chief’s wife frequently sprinkled me with garlick-water, 
which they considered an effectual charm against shot. 
The fleet continued under sail all night, steering towards 
the eastward. In the morning they anchored in a large 
bay surrounded by lofty and barren mountains. On the 
2d of December I received a letter from Lieutenant 
Maughn, commander of the Honorable Company’s cruiser 
Antelope, saying that he had the ransom on board, and 
had been three days cruising after us, and wished me to 
settle with the chief on the securest method of delivering 
it. The chief agreed to send us in a small gun-boat till 
we came within sight of the Antelope ; then the compra- 
dore’s boat was to bring the ransom and receive us. I was 
so agitated at receiving this joyful news, that it was with 
difficulty I could scrawl about two or three lines to inform 
Lieutenant Maughn of the arrangements I had made. We 
were all so deeply affected by the gratifying tidings, that 
we seldom closed our eyes, but continued watching day and 
night for the boat. 

“ On the 6th she returned with Lieutenant Maughn’s 
answ^er, saying, he would respect any single boat ; but 
would not allow the fleet to approach him. The chief, 
then, according to his first proposal, ordered a gun-boat to 
take us, and with no small degree of pleasure w^e left the 
Ladrone fleet about four o’clock in the afternoon. At one 
P. M. saw the Antelope under all sail, standing towards us. 
The Ladrone boat immediately anchored, and dispatched 
I the compradore’s boat for the ransom; saying, that if she 
approached nearer they would return to the fleet ; and they 


276 


HISTORY OF TIIK LADRONE I'lRATRS. 


were just weighing when she shortened sail, and anchored 
about two miles from us. The boat did not reach her till 
late in the afternoon, owing to the tide’s being strong 
against her. She received tlie ransom and left the Ante- 
lope just before dark. A Mandarin boat that had been 
lying concealed under the land, and matching their ma- 
iiceuvres, gave chace to her, and was within a few fathoms 
of taking her, when she saw a I'ght, which the Ladrones 
answered, and the Mandarin hauled off. Our situation 
was now a critical one ; the ransom was in the ftands of 
the Ladrones, and the compradore dara not return with us 
for fear of a second attack from the Mandarin boat. The 
Ladrones would not wait till morning, so we were obliged 
to return with them to the fleet. In the morning the chief 
inspected the ransom, which consisted of the following arti- 
cles : two bal^s of superfine cloth ; two chests of opium ; 
two casks of gunpowder, and a telescope ; the rest in dol- 
lars. lie objected to the telescope not being new ; and 
said he should detain one of us till another was sent, or a 
hundred dollars in lieu of it. The compradore, however, 
agreed with him for the hundred dollars. Every thing 
bwng at length settled, the chief ordered two gun-boats to 
convey us near the Antelope ; we saw her just before dusk, 
when the Ladrone boats left us. We had the inexpressi- 
ble ’pleasure of arriving on board the Antelope at seven, 
P. M., where we were most cordially received, and heartily 
congratulated on our safe and happy deliverance from a 
miserable captivity, which we had endured for eleven 
weeks and three days. • 

(Signed) Richard Glasspoole.” 

“ China, December 8th, 1809.” 

The Ladrones have no settled residence on shore, but 
live con- tantly in their vessels. The after-part is appro- 
priated to the captain and his wives ; he generally has five 
or six. With respect to the conjugal rights they are re- 
ligiously strict ; no person is allowed to have a woman on 
board, unless married to her according to their laws. Every 
man is allowed a small berth, about four feet square, where 
he stows with his wife and family. From the iMimber of 
souls crowded in so small a space, it must naturally be sup- 


BASENESS OF O-PO-TAE. 


277 


posed they are horridly dirty, which is evidently the case, 
and their vessels swarin with all kinds of vermin. Rats in 
[)articLilar, which they encourage to breed, and eat as great 
delicacies ; in fact, there are very few creatures they will 
not eat. During our captivity we lived three weeks on 
caterpillars boiled with rice. They are much addicted to 
gambling, and spend all their leisure hours at cards and 
smoking opium.” 

At the time of Mr. Glasspoole’s liberation, the pirates 
were at the height of their power ; after such repeated vic- 
tories over the Mandarin ships, they had set at nought the 

I ’ Imperial allies — the Portuguese, and not only the coast, 
but the rivers of the celestial empire seemed to be at their 
discretion— and yet their formidable association did -not 
many months survive this event. It was not, however, de- 
feat that reduced it to the obedience of the laws. On the 
contrary, that extraordinary woman, the widow of Ching- 
yih, and the daring Paou, were victorious and more power- 
ful than ever, when dissensions broke out among the pirates 
themselves. Ever since the favor of *the chieftainess had 
elevated Paou to the general command, there had been 
enmity and altercations between him and llie chief O-po- 
tae, who commanded one of the flags or divisions of the 
fleet ; and it was only by the deference and respect they 
both owed to Ching-yih’s widow, that they had been pre-- 
\ented from turning their arms against each other long be- 
I fore. 

At length, when the brave Paou w^as surprised and 
* cooped up by a strong blockading force of the Emperor’s 
i ships, O po-lae showed all his deadly spite, and refusea to 
j obey the orders of Paou, an.d even of the chieftainess, 
which were, that he should sail to the relief of his rival. 

J^aou, with his bravery and usual good fortune, broke 
through the blockade, but when he came in contact with 
O po-tae, his rage was too violent to be restrained. 

O-po-tae at first pleaded that his means and strength 
iiad been insufficient to do what had been expected of him, 
but conclude d by saying, — “ Am 1 bound to come and join 
the force? of Paou ?” 

“ Would you then separate from us !” cried Paou, nior« 
Rjiraged than ever. \ 

24 


278 * 


HISTORY OF THE LADRONE PIRATES. 


O^po-tae answered “ I will not separnle myself.” 

Paou : — “ Why then do you not obey the orders of tliR 
wife of Ching-yili and my own ? What is this else than 
separation, that you do not come to assist me, when I am 
surrounded by the enemy ? I have sworn it that 1 will 
destroy thee, wicked man, that I may do away with thig 
soreness on my back.” 

Tlie summons of Paou, when blockaded, to 0-po tae 
w’as in language equally figurative : — “ I am harass«jd by 
the Government’s otficers outside in the sea ; lips and teeth 
must help one another, if the lips aue cut away the teeth 
will feel cold. How shall I alone be able to fight the Go- 
vernment forces? You should therefore come at tin? head 
of your crew, to attack the Government scjuadron iti the 
rear, I wall then come out of my station and make an at- 
tack in front; the enemy being so taken in tlie front and 
rear, will, even supposing we cannot master him, certainly 
be thrown into disorder.” 

The angry words of Paou w'ere follow'ed by others, and 
then by blows. Paou, though at the moment far inferior 
in force, first began the fight, and ultimately sustaine^l a 
sanguinary defeat, and the loss of sixte(}n vessels. Our 
loathing for this cruel, detestable race, rnu t be increased 
by the fact, that the victors massacred all their prisoners — 
or three hundred men ! 

This was the death-blow' to the confederacy which had 
so long defied the Emperor’s power, and which might have 
etfected his detlironement. O-po-tae dreading tlie ven- 
geance of Paou and his mistress, Ching-yih’s widow, whose 
united forces w'ould have quintupled his. own, gained over 
his men to his views, and profi‘ere<l a submission to Govern- 
ment, on condition of free pardon, and a proper provision 
for all. 

The petition of the pirates is so curious a pro luction, and 
so characteristic of the Chinese, that it deserves to be in- 
serted at length. It is my humble opinion that all rob- 
bers of an overpow'ering force, wlu ther they had their 
origin from this or any other cause, have felt tlie humanity 
of Government at different times. Leang-sham, who three 
times plundered the city, was nevertheless pardoned, and 
at last made a minister of state. VVakang often challenged 


PETITION 


27 


the arms of his country, and was suffered to live, and at 
last made a corner-stone of the empire Joo-ming par- 
doned seven times Mang hwo ; and Kwan-kung three times 
set Tsaou-tsaou at liberty. Ma-yuen pursued not the ex- 
hausted robbers ; and Yo-fei killed not those who made 
their subniission. There are many instances of such trans- 
actions both in former and recent times, by which the 
country was strengthened, and government increased its 
power. We now live in a very populous age ; some of us 
could not agree with their relations, and were driven out 
like noxious Weeds. Some, after having tried all they 
could, without being able provide for themselves, at las^ 
ji)ined bad society. Some lost their property by ship 
wrecks ; some withdrew into this watery empire to escape 
from punishment. In such a way those who in the be- 
ginning were only three or five, were in the course of time 
increased to a thousand or ten thousand, and so it went 
on increasing every year. Would it not have been won- 
derful if such a multitude, being in want of their daily 
bread, had not resorted to plunder and robbery to gain 
their subsistence, since they could not in any other manner 
be saved from famine ? It was from necessity that the laws 
of the empire were violated,. and the merchants robbed ot 
their goods. Being deprived of our land and of our native 
places, having no house or home to resort to, and relying 
only on the chances of wind and water, even could we for 
a moment forget our griefs, we might fall in with a man-of- 
war, who with stones, darts, and guns, would knock out our 
brains ! Even if we dared to sail up a stream and boldly 
go on with anxiety of mind under wind, rain, and stormy 
weather, we must everywhere prepare for fighting. Whe- 
ther we went to the east, or to the west, and after having 
felt all the hardships of the sea, the night dew was our 
only dwelling, and the rude wind our meal. But now we 
will avoid these perils, leave our connexions, and desert our 
comrades ; we will make our submission. The power of 
Government knows no bounds ; it reaches to the islands in 
the sea, and every man is afraid, and sighs. Oh we must 
be destroyed by our crimes, none can escape who op[ft)seth 
the laws of Government. May you then feeJ compassion 


2S0 


HISTORY OF THE LADRONE PIRATES. 


for lliose who are deserving of death ; may you sustain us 
by your humanity !” 

'Fhe Government that had made so many lamentable 
displays of its weakness, was glad to make an unreal parade 
of its mercy. It was but too happy to grant all the con- 
ditions instantly, and, in the fulsome language of its his- 
torians, “ feeling that compassion is the way of heaven — • 
that it is the right way to govern by righteousness — it there- 
fore redeemed these pirates from destruction, and pardoned 
their former crimes.” 

O-po tae^ hov^ever, had. hardly struck his free flag, and 
the pirates were hardly in the j#wer of the Chinese, when 
it v as proposed by many that lh(‘y should all be treacher- 
ously murdered. The governor happened to be more ho^ 
norable and humane, or probably, only more politic than 
those who made this foul proposal — he knew that such a 
bloody breach of faith would for ever prevent the pirates 
still in arms from voluntary submitting ; he knew equally 
well, even weakened as they were by O-po-tae’s defection, 
that the Government could not reduce them by force, and 
he thought by keeping his faith with tliem, he might turn 
the force of tliose who had submitted against those who still 
held out, and so destroy the pirates with the- pirates. Con- 
sequently the eight thousand men, it had been proposed to 
cut off in cold blood, were allowed to remain uninjured, 
and their leader, O-po-tae, having changed his naine to that 
of Hoe-been, or, The Lustre of Instruction,’ was ele- 
vated to the rank of an imperial officer. 

The widow ofChlng-yih, and her favorite Paou, continued 
for some months to pillage the coast, and to beat the Chi- 
nese and the Mandarins’ troo[)S and ships, and seemed 
almost as strong as before the separation of O-po-tae’s flag. 
But that example was probably operating in the minds of 
many of the outlaws, and finally the lawless heroine her- 
self, uho was the spirit that kept the complicate body to- 
gether, seeing that O-po-tae had been made a government 
officer, and that he continued to prosper, began also to 
tliink of miaking her submission. 

“ litim,” said she, “ten times stronger than O-po-tae, 
and government will perhaps, if I submit, act towards me 
as they have done with O-po-tae.” 


MEDIATION FOIt A GENERAL PARDON 


281 


A rumor of her intentions having reached shore, the 
Mandann sent off a ceriain Chow, a doctor of Macao, 
“ Who,” snys the historian, “ fielng already well acquainted 
with the pirates, did not need any introduction,” to enter 
on preliminaries w’ilh tliem. 

When the worthy practitioner presented himself to Paou, 
that friend concluded he had been committing some crime, 
and had come for safety to that general refugium jf^ccato- 
rum, tlie pirate fleet. 

d'he I)n(‘tnr explained, and assured the chief, that if ho 
would submit, Government was inclined to treat him and 
his tar more favorably and moic honorably than O-po-tae. 
But if he continued to resist, not only a general arming of 
all the coast and the rivers, but O-po-tae w’as to proceed 
against him. 

At this part of his narrative our Chinese historian is 
again so curious, that I shall quote his wmrds at length. 

“ When Fei-heung-Chow' earner to Paou, he said : G^Viend 
l^aou, do you know why I come to you ?’ 

Paou.- — ^ Thou hast committed some crime and cornest 
to me for protection ?’ 

Chow. — ‘ By no- means.’ 

Paou. — ‘ You will then know how it stands concerninfr 
the rf'p'.rt about our su})mission, if it is true or false?’ 

“ Ciiow. — ‘ You are again wrong here. Sir. What are 
you in comparison with 0-f)0-tae ?’ 

“Paou. — ‘ — Who is bold enough to compare me with 
O-po-tae 

“ Chow. — ‘ I know very w’ell that O-po-tae could not 
come up to you. Sir; but I mean only, that since O-po-tae 
has made his submission, since he has got his pardon and 
been created a Government oflicer, — how would it be, if 
you with your whole crew should also submit, and if his 
Excellency should desire to treat you in the same manner, 
and to give you the same rank as O po-tae ? Your sub- 
mission would produce more joy to Government than the 
submission of O-po-tae. You should not wait for wisdom 
to act wisely ; you should make up your mind to submit to 
the Government with all your followers. I will assist you 
in every respect, it would be the means of securing yoai 
own happiness and the lives of all your adherents.” 

24* T 


282 


histohy of ths ladrone pirates. 


“ Chang-paou remained like a statue without motion, 
and Fei-heung Chow’ wenton to say: ‘You should think 
about this afl’air in time, and not stay till the last moment. 
Is it not clear that O-po-tae, since you could not agree to- 
gether, has joined Government. He being enraged against 
you, will fight, united with the forces of the Government, 
for your destruction ; and who could help you, so that yon 
might overcome your enemies ? If O po-tae could before 
vanquish you quite alone, how much more can he now 
w hen he is united with Government ? O po-tae will then 
satisfy his hatred against you, and you yourself will soon 
be taken either at Wei-chow or at Neaou chow. If the 
merchant-vessels of Ilwy-chaou, the boats of Kwang chow, 
and all the fishing-vessels, unite together to surround and 
attack you in the open sea, you will certainly have enough 
to do. But. even supposing they should nut attack you, 
you will soon feel the want of provisions to sustain you and 
all your followers. It is always wisdom to provide before 
things happen ; stupidity and folly never think about future 
events. It is too late to reflect upon events when thing.s 
have happened ; you should, therefore, consider this matter 
in time !” 

Paou w^as puzzled, but after being closeted for so^e time 
with his mistress, Ching-yih’s widow, who gave her high 
permission for him to make arrangements with Doctor 
Chow, he said he w^ould repair with his fleet to the Bocca 
Tigris, and there communicate personally with the organs 
of Government. 

After two visits had been paid to the pirate-fleets by two 
inferior Mandarins, who carried the Imperial proclamation 
of free pardon, and who, at the order of Ching-yih’s wi- 
dow, w^ere treated to a sumptuous banquet by Paou, the 
Governor-general of the province went himself in one ves- 
sel to the pirates’ ships, that occupied a line of ten le, off 
the mouth of the river. 

As the governor approached, the pirates hoisted their 
flags, played on their instruments, and fired their guns, so 
that the smoke rose in clouds, and then bent sail to meet 
him. On this the dense population tliat were ranged thou- 
sands'after thousands along the shore, to witness the im- 
portant reconciliation, became sorely ala^-med, and the Go- 


TREACHERY SUSPECTEIJ. 


283 


vernor-general seems to have had a strong inclination to 
run away. 15ut in brief sjiace of time, the long dreaded 
widow of Ching-yih, supported by her Lieutenant Paou, 
and followed by three other of her princi{-al commanders, 
mounted tiie side (5f the governor’s ship, and rushed through 
the smoke to the spot where liis excellency was stationed : 
where they fell on their hands and knees, shed tears, 
knocked their heads on the deck before him, and received 
his gracious pardon, and j)roniised for future kind treat- 
ment. They then withdrew satisfied, having promised to 
give in a list of their ships, and of all else they possessed, 
within three days. 

But the sudden apparition of some large Portuguese 
ships, and some Government war-junks, made the pirates 
suspect treachery. They immediately set sail, and the ne- 
gociations were interrupted for several days. 

They were at last concludc'd by the boldness of their 
female leader. “ If the Governor-general,” said this hero- 
ine, “ a man of the highest rank, could come to us quite 
alone, why should not I, a mean woman, go to the officers 
of Government ? If there be danger in ft, I take it all on 
myself ; no person among you need trouble himself about 
me — my mind is made up, and I will go to Canton !” 

Paou said — “ If the widow of Ching-yih goes, we must 
fix a time for her return. If this pass without our obtain- 
ing any information, we must collect all our forces, and go 
before Canton : this is my opinion as to what ought to be 
done ; comrades, let me hear yours !” 

The pirates, then, struck with the intrepidity of their 
chieftainess, and loving her more than ever, answered, 
Friend Paou, we have heard thy opinion, but we think it 
better to wait for the news here, on the water, than to send 
the wife of Cliing-yih alone to be killed.” Nor w'ould 
tliey allow her to leave the fleet. 

Matters were in this state of indecision, when the two 
inferior Mandarins who had before visited the pirates, ven- 
tured o:* to repeat their visit. These officers protested no 
treachery had been intendetl, and pledged themseives, that 
if the w/dow of Ching yih would repair to the Governor, 
she woul I be kir^Hy received, and every thing settled to 
their hearts’ satisfaction. 


284 


inSTOIlY OF THE l.ADRONE P’RATES 


With tills, in the language of our old ballads upspohft 
Mrs. Chiiig. “Yon say well, gentlemen! and t will <go 
myself to Canton with some other of our la lies, accomjia- 
nied by you !” And accordlniily, she and anumberof the 
fiirates’ wives witli their clnldrim. went fearlessly to C.’an- 
ton, arranged ever) th'ng, and found they had not been 
deceived. The fleet soon followed. On :ts arrival every 
vessel was su[){)lied with pork and with nine, and every 
man (in lieu it may be supposed, of his share of the ves- 
sels, and plundered property he re.signe.i) received at the 
same time a bill for a certain quantity of money, 'fhoi-o 
who wislied it, could join the military force of GovermiHmt 
for })ursuing the remaining pirati's ; and those who ol)> 
jected, dispersed and Withdrew into the country. “This 
is the manner in which the great red srpiadron of the [liniios 
wa« pacified.” 

Ttie valiant Paou, following the example of liis rival 
O-po-tae, entered into the service of Government, and j)ro- 
ceeded against such of his former associates aiid friemis as 
w'ould not accept the pardon offered them. There was some 
hard fighting, but the two renegadr)es successively took the 
chief Shih Url, forced the redoubtal)le captain, styled “ I'he 
scourge of the Eastern Ocean” to surrender himself, drove 
“ Frog’s Meal,” another dreadful pirate, to Manilla, ajid 
finally, and within a few montlis, destroyed or dissipated 
the “ wasps of the ocean” altogether. 

I have already noticed the marked intention of the Ciii- 
nese historian, to paint tlie characU^r of Paou in a poetical 
or epic manner. When describing the battle wfith Shih- 
Url, he says : — 

“ They fought from seven o’clock in the morning till 
one at noon, burnt ten vessels, and killed an immense num 
ber of the pirates. Shih-Url was so weakened that hi 
could scarcely make any opposition. On perceiving thii 
through the smoke, Paou mounted on a sudden the 'vesso 
of the pirate, and cried out : ‘ I Chang Paou am come,’ and 
at the same moment he cut some pirates to pieces ; the 
remainder were then hardly de.alt with. Paou addressee 
himself in an angry tone to Shih-Url, and said : ‘I advise 
you to submit : will you not follow my. advice ? what have 
you to say ?’ Shih-Url was struck with amazement, and 


SUTEIISTITION OF THE CHINF.SE. 


285 


< 


his courage left lim. Paou advanced and l^^und him, and 
the whole crew were then taken captives.’ 

“ From that period,” says our Chinese hist.mian, in con« 
elusion, “ ships began to pass and repuss in tranciuillky. 
All became (juiet on the rivers, and tranquil on the four 
seas. People lived in yeace and plenty. The country be- 
gan to assume a new a})pearanee. Men sold their arms 
and bought oxen to plough their fields ; they burned sacri- 
' ficcs, said prayers on the tops of the hills, and rejoiced 
themselves by singing behind screens during day-time” — 
and (grand climax to all !) the Governor of the province, 
m consideration of his valuable services in the fiacification 
of the pirates, was allowed by an edict of the “ Son ol 
ileav<ni/‘ to wear peacocks’ feathers with two eyes ! 


THE LIFE OF 


CAPTAIN LEWIS. 



The Pirate Banister, hanging at the Yara Arm. 


Captain Lewis was at i n early age associated with 
pirates. We first find him a boy in company with the pi* 


THE BEGINNING OF CAtviLfiR. 287 

rate Banister, who was hanged at the yard arm of a man- 
of-war, in sight of Port Royal, Jamaica. This Lewis and 
another boy were taken with him, and brought into tho 
island hanging by the middle at the inizen peak. He had a 
great aptitude for languages, and spoke perfectly well that of 
the Mosquil Indians, French, Spanish, and English. I 
mention our own, because it is doubted whether he wa§ 
French or English, for we cannot trace him back to his 
origin. He sailed out of Jamaica till he was adusty lad, 
and was then taken by the Spaniards at the Havana, 
where lie tarried some time; but at length he and six more 
ran away with a small canoe, and surprised a Spanish peri- 
agua, out of which two men joined them, so that they 
were now nine in company. With this periugua they sur* 
prised a turtling sloop, and forced some of the hands to 
take on with them ; the others they sent away in the peria- 
gua. . . . ' . 

He played at this small game, surprising and taking 
coasters and lurtlers, till with forced men and volunteers 
he made up a company of 40 men. With these he took a 
large Pink built ship, bound from Jamaica to the bay of 
Campeachy, and afu.r her, several others bound to the 
same place ; and having intelligence that there lay in the 
bay a fine-Bermuda built brigantine of 10 guns, commanded 
by Captain Tucker, he sent the captain of the Pink to him 
with a letter, the purport of which was, that he wanted 
such a brigantine, and if he would part with her, he would 
pay him 10,000 pieces of eight ; if he refused this, he 
would take care to he in his way, for he was resolved, 
either by fair or foul means to have the vessel. Captain 
Tucker, having read the letter, sent for the masters of ves- 
sels then lying in the bay, and told them, after he had 
shown the letter, that if they would make him up 54 men, 
(for there were about ten Bermuda sloops,) he would go 
out and fight the pirates. They said no, they would not 
hazard their men, they depended on their sailing, and 
every one must take care of himself as well as he could. 

However, they all put to sea together, and spied a sail 
under the land, which had a breeze while they lay becalm- 
ed. Some said he was a turtler ; others, the pirate, and 
&o it proved ; for it was honest Captain Lewis, who put- 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN LEWIS. 


ting out his oars, got in among them. Some of the sloops 
had four guns, some two, some none. Joseph Dill hau 
two, which he brought on one side, and fired smartly at 
the pirate, b^t unfortunately one of them spi t, and killed 
three men. Tucker called to all the sloo}>s to send him 
men, and he would fight Lewis, but to no purpose ; nobody 
came on board him. In the mean while a breeze sprung 
up, and Tucker, trimming his sails, left them, who all fell 
B prey to the pirate ; into whom, however, he fired a 
broadside at going off. One sloop, whose master I will 
not' name, was a very good sailer, and was going off; but 
Lewis firing a shot, brought her to, and he lay by till ah 
the sloops were visited and secured. Then Lewis sent on 
board him, and ordered the master into his sloop. As 
soon as he was on board, he asked the reason of his lying 
by, and betraying the tru>t his owners had reposed in liim, 
which was doing like a knave and cow'ard, and he would 
punish him accordingly ; for, said lie, you might have got 
off, being so much a better sailer than my vessel. Aft(?r tliis 
speech, he fell upon him with a tope’s end, and then 
snatching up his cane, drove him about tlie decks without 
mercy. The master, thinking to pacify him, told him lie 
had been out trading in tl:al sloop several months, and had 
on board a good (piantity of money, which was hid, and 
which, if he would send on board a black belonging to the 
owners, he would discover to him. This had not the de- 
sired efiect, but one (]uite contrary; for Lewis t.-ld hiir 
be w’as a rascal and villain for this discovery, and he woulif 
pay him for betraying his owners, and redoubled his 
strokes. However, he sent and took the money and negroj 
who was an able sailor. lie took out of his prizes what 
he had occasion f jr, forty aide negro sailors, and a wliile. 
caipcnter. d’he largest sloop, which was about ninety 
tons, he took for his own use, and mounted her with 1-2 
guns. Ilis crew was now about eighty men, whites and 
blacks. 

After these ca[)tUres, he cruised in the Gulf of Florida, 
laying in wait for t!ie West India homeward bound ships 
that took the leeward passage, .several of w^hich, falling 
into his hands, were plundered by him, and rcleast d. 
From hence he went to the coast of Carolina, where he 


TEN ENGLISHMEN PUT ADRIFT. 


269 


ckaned his sloop, and a great many men whom he had 
forced, ran away from him. However, the ii itivey tiadca 
with him for rum and sugar, and brouglit him all he 
wanted, without tlie g(;vermnent’s leaving any knowledge 
of him, for he had got into a very private -creek ;; though 
he was very much on his guard, that he might not be sur 
prised from the shore. 

From Carolina he cruised on the coast of Virginia, 
where he took and plundered several merchantmen, and 
forced several men, and then returned to the coast of Caro- 
lina, where he did abundance of mischief. Ashe liad now 
an abundance of French on board, who had entered with 
him, and Lewis, hearing the English had a design to 
maroon them, he secured the men he suspected, and put 
them in a boat, with all the other English, ten leagues 
from shore, with only ten pieces of beef, and sent them 
away, keeping none but French and negroes. These men, 
it is supposed, all perished in the sea. 

From the coast of Carolina he shaped his course for the 
banks of Newfoundland, where he overhauled several fish - 
ing vessels, and then went into Trinity Harbor in Concep- 
tion Bay, where there lay several merchantmen, and seized 
a 24 gun galley, called the Herman. The commander, 
Captain Beal, told Lewis, if he would send his quarter 
master ashore he would furnish him with necessaries. He 
being sent ashore, a council was held among the n^sters, 
the consequence of which^ w'as, the seizing the quarter 
master, whom they carried to Captain Woodes Rogers 
He chained him to a sheet anchor which was ashore, and 
planted guns at the point, to prevent the pirate getting 
out, but to little purpose ; for the people at one of these 
points firing too soon, Lewds quitted the ship, and, by the 
IK Ip of oars and the favor of the night, got out in his sloop, 
though she received many shot in her hull. The last shot 
•Jial was fired at the pirate did him considerable damage. 

He la v oft’ and on the harbor, swearing he w<iu!d have 
(lis (juartcr master, and intercepted two fishing shallops, 
on board of one of w'hich was the captain of the galley’s 
arother. He detained tlumi, and sent wmrd. if his quarter 
muster did not immediately come off, he would put all his 
prisoners to death. He was sent on board without hesila 


2i)0 THK LIFE OF CAPTAIN LEWIS. 

tion. Lewis and the crew inquired how he had beei 
used, and he answered, very civilly. It’s well,” said iIk, 
j)irate, “ for had you been ill treated, 1 would have pii^ 
all these rascals to the sword.” They were dismissed, and 
the captain’s brother going over the side, the quarter nias- 
lor stopped him, saying, he must drink the gentlemen’s 
health ashore, particularly Captain Rodgers’ and, wlhsper- 
ing him in the ear, told him, if they had known of his being 
chained all night, he would have been cut in pieces, with 
all his men. After this poor man and his shallop’s com- 
pany were gone, the quarter master told the usage he had 
met with, which enraged Lewis, and made him reproach 
his quarter master, whose answer was, that he did not 
think it just the innocent should sutler for the guilty. 

The masters of the merchantmen sent to Capt. Tudor 
Trevor, who lay at St. Johiu’s in the Sheerness man-of-war. 
lie immediately got under sail, and missed the pirate but 
four hours. She kept along the coast and made several 
jirizes, French and English, and put into a harbor where a 
French ship lay making fish. Slie was built at the latter 
end of the war, for a privateer, was an e.xcellent sailer, and 
mounted 24 guns. The commander hailed him : the 
pirate answered, /row Jamaica ivith rum and sugar. The 
Frenchman bid him go about his business ; that a pirate 
sloop was on the coast, and he might be the rogue ; if he 
did not immediately sheer off, he would fire a broadside 
into him. He went ofi' and lay a fortnight out at sea, so 
far a? not to be descried from shore, with resolution to have 
the ship. The Frenchman being on his guard, in the 
meanwhile raised a battery on the shore, which command- 
ed the harbor. After a fortnight, when he was thought to 
be gone off, he returned, and took two of the fishing shal- 
lops belonging to the Frenchman, and manning them with 
pirates, they went in. One shallop attacked the battery ; 
the other surprised, boarded and carried the ship, just as 
the morning star appeared, for which reason he gave her 
that name. In the engagement the owner’s son was killed, 
who made the voyage out of curiosity only. The shij) be- 
ing taken, seven guns were fired, which was the signal, and 
the sloop came down and lay alongside the ship. The 
canlaln toKl bini itQ .supposed he onlv wanted his linurM- • 


LEWISES LEAGUE WITH THE DEVIL. 291 

but Lewis made answer he wanted his ship, and accord- 
ingly hoisted all his ammunition and provision into her. 
When the Frenchin m saw they would have his ship, he 
told her trim, and Lewis gave him the sloop ; and except- 
ing what he took for provision, all the fish he had made. 
Several of the French took on with him, w ho, with others, 
English and French, iiad by force or voluntarily, made 
him up 200 men. 

From Newfoundland he steered for the coast of Guinea, 
where he took a great many ships, English, Dutch and 
Portuguese. Among these ships was one belonging to 
Carolina, commanded by Capl. Smith. While he was in 
chase of tins vessel a circumstance occurred, which made 
his men believe he dealt with the devil ; his fore and main 
top-mast being carried away, he, Lewis, running up the 
shrouds to the main-top, tore oflT a handful of hair, and 
throwing it into the air used this expression, good devil, 
take this till I come. And it was observed, that he came 
afterwards faster up with the chase than before the loss of 
his top-masts. 

Smith being taken, Lewis used him very civilly, and 
gave him as much or more in value than he took from him, 
and let him go, saying, he would come to Carolina when 
he had made money on the coast, and would rely on his 
friendship. 

They kept some time on the coast, when they quarrelled 
among themselves, the French and English, of which the 
former w'ere more numerous, and they resolved to part. 
The French therefore chose a large sloop newly taken, 
thinking the ship’s bottom, which was not sheathed, dam- 
aged by the worms. According to this agreement they 
took on board w hat ammunition and provision they thought 
fit out of the ship, and put ofl’, choosing one Le Barre 
captain. As it blew^ hard,. and the decks were encumber- 
ed, they came to an anchor under the coast, to stow aw^ay 
their ammunition, goods, &c. Lewis told his men they 
W(Te a parcel of rogues, and he would make them refund ; 
accordingly he run alongside, his guns being all loaded and 
new f)rimed, and ordered him to cut away his mast or he 
wa)uld sink him. I^e Barre was obliged to obey. Then 
he ordered them all ashore. They begged the liberty of 


C92 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN LEWIS. 


:arrying tlieir arms, goods, etc. with them, hut he allowed 
hem only their small arms and cartridge boxes. Then he 
wrought the sloop alongside, put every thing on board the 
ship, and sunk thejiloop. 

Le Barre and the rest Ijejfged to be taken on board. 
[Towever, though he denied them, he sutVered Le Barre and 
some few to come, with whom he and his men drank plen- 
..fuliy. ^J'he negroes on board l^ewis told hiin the French 
ltd a plot again.'t him. He answered, he could not with- 
> t.nd his destiny ; for the devil told liim in the great cabin 
le should be murdered that night. 

In the dead of the n:ght, the rest of the French came on 
Kiard Tn canoes, got into the cabin and kdled Lewis. They 
ell on the crew ; but, after an hour and a hall ’s dispute 
.he French were beaten otV, and the (piarter master, John 
./ornelius, an Irishman, succeeded Lewis. 


> 



hair to the Devil, d. 29L 
% 


Capt. Lewis giving a lock of his 





THE LIFE, CAREER AND DEATH OF 


CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE. 


i 

I 


He was born at Plymouth, where his mother kept a 
public house. She took great care of his education, and 
when he was grown up, as he had an inclination to the 
sea, procured him the king’s letter. After he had served 
some years on board a man-of-war, he went to Barbadoes, 
where he marriea^ got into the merchant service, and 
designed to settle in the island. He had the command of 
the Marygold brigantine given him, in which he made two 
successful voyages to Guinea and back to Barbadoes. In 
his third, he had the misfortune to be taken by a French 
pirate, as were several other English ships, the masters and 
inferior officers of which they detained, being in want of 
good artists. The brigantine belonging to White, they 
kept for their own use, and sunk the vessel they before 
sailed in ; but meeting with a ship on the Guinea coast 
more fit for their purpose, they went on board her and 
burnt the brigantine. 

It is not my business here to *give an account of thi.s 
French pirate, any farther than Capt. White’s story obliges 
me, though I beg leave to take notice of their barbarity to 
the kmglish prisoners, for they would set them up as a butt 
or mark to shoot at ; several of whom were thus murdered 
in cool blood, by way of diversion. 

White was marked out for a sacrifice by one of these 
villains, who, for what reason I know not, had sworn his 
death, which he escaped thus. One of the crew, who had 
n friendship for White, knew this fellow’s design to kill 
him in the night, and therefore advised him to lie between 
him and the ship’s side, with intention to save him 5 which 
indeed he did, but was himself shot dead by the murder- 
ous villain, who mistook him for White. 


MFE OF CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE. 


2V,6 


Aflcr some time cruising along the coast, the pirates 
(loiihh’d the Cape of Good iloj'C, and shaped their course 
fi>r Madagascar, where, being drunk and mad, they knock- 
ed tlieir shij) on the liead, at the south end of the island, 
at a jdace called by the natives Elexa. The country thcre- 
abouis was governed by a king, named Mafaly. 

U hen the ship struck, Capt. Wh te, Capt. Boreman, 
(born in the Isle of Wight, formerly a lieutenant of a man- 
of-war, but In the merchant service wlien he fell into llie 
hands of the pirates.) Capt. Bowen and some other prison- 
ers got into the long-boat, and With broken oars and barrel 
staves, which they found in the bottom of the boat, pad- 
died to Augustin Bay, which is about 14 or 15 leagues i’roin 
the wreck, where tliey landed, and were kimlly rt ceived 
by the king of Bavaw, (tlie name of that part of the island) 
who spoke good English. 

4'hey stayed here a year and a half at the king’s expense, 
vvlio gave them a plentiful allowance of provision, as was 
his custom to all white men, who met with any misfortune 
on his coast. ITis humanity not only provided for such, 
but the first European vessel that came in, he always 
obliged to take in the unfortunate people, let the vessel be 
what-lt would ; for he had no notion of any difierence be- 
tween pirates and merchants. 

At the expiration of the above term, a pirate brigantine 
came in, on board which the king obliged jhem to enter, 
or travel by land to some other place, which they durst not 
do ; and of two evils chose the least, that of going on 
board the pirate vessel, which was commanded by one 
Williant^Read, who received them very civilly. 

This commander went along the coast, and picked up 
what Europeans he could meet with. His crew, however, 
did not exceed 40 men. He would have been glad of ta- 
king some of the wrecked Frenchmen, but fijr the barbari- 
ty they had used towards the English prisoners. However, 
it was impracticable, for the French pretending to lord it 
over the natives, whom they began to treat inhumanly, 
v\ere set upon by tliem, one half of their number cut olf, 
and the other half made slaves. 

Read, with this gang, and a brigantine of GO tons, steer- 
ed his course for the Persian Gulf, where they met a grab, 


GOLD THROWN INTO THE SEA. 


297 


(a one masted vessel) of about 200 tons, which was made a 
prize. Tliey found nothing on board but bale goods, most 
of which they threw overboard in search of gold, and to 
make room in the vessel ; but as they learned afterwards, 
they threw over, in their search, what they so greedily 
hunted after, for there was a considerable quantity of gold 
concealed in one of the bales they tossed into the sea ! 

in this cruise Capt Read fell ill and died, and w^as suc- 
ceeded by one James. The brigantine being smalR crazy 
and worm-eaten, they shaped their course for the island of 
Mayotta, where they took out the masts of the brigantine, 
fitted up the grab, and made a ship of her. Here they 
took in a quantity of fresh provisions, w'hich are in this 
island very plentiful and very cheap, and found a tw'elve- 
oared boat, which formerly belonged to the Ruby East 
Indiaman, which had been lost t’ ere. 

They stayed here all the monsoon time, which is about 
six months ; after which they resolved for Madagascar. As 
they came in with the land, they spied a sail coming round 
from the east side of the island. They gave chase on both 
sides, so that they soon met. They hailed each other, and 
receiving the same answer from each vessel, viz. from the 
seas, they joined company. 

This vessel was a small French ship, laden with liquors 
from Martinico, first commanded by one Fourgette, to 
trade with the pirates for slaves, at Ambonawoula, on the 
east side of the island, in the latitude of 17 deg. 30 min. 
and was by them taken after the following manner. 

The pirates, who were headed by George Booth, now 
commander of the ship, went on board, (as they had often 
done,) to the number of ten, and carried money with them 
und('r pretence of purchasing what they wanted. This 
Booth had formerly been gunner of a pirate ship, called the 
Dolphin. Capt. Fourgette was pretty njuch upon his 
guard, and searched every man as he came over tlie side, 
and a pair of pocket pistols were found upon a Dutchman, 
who was the first that entered. The captain told him that 
he teas a rogue, and had a design upon his ship, and the 
pirates pretended to be so angry with this fellow’s offering 
to com* on bemrd with arms, that they threatened to knock 
him on tlie head, and tossing him roughly into the boat, 
25* [outset.] u 


298 


LIFE OF CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE. 


ordered him ashore, though they had before taken an oath 
on the Bible, either to carry tfie ship, or die in the under- 
taking. 

They were all searched, but they however contrived to 
get on board four pistols, which were all the arms they 
had for the enterprise, though Fourgette had 20 hands on 
board, and his small arms on the awning, to be in readiness. 

The captain invited them into the cabin to dinner, but 
Booth chose to dine with the petty officer, though one 
Johnson, Isaac and another, went down. Booth was to 
give the watchword, which was hurrah. Standing near 
the awning, and being a nimble fellow, at one spring lie 
threw himself upon it, drew the rrms to him, bred his pis- 
tol among the men, one of whom he wounded, (who 
jumping overboard was lost) and gave the signal. 

Three, I said, were in the cabin, and. seven upon deck, 
who with handspikes and the arms seized, secured the 
ship’s crew. The captain and his two mates, who were at 
dinner in the cabin, hearing the pistol, fell upon Johnson, 
and stabbed him in several places w ith their forks, but they 
being silver, did him no great damage. Fourgette snatched 
his piece, which he snapped at Isaac’s breast several times, 
but it would not go off. At last, finding his resistance vain, 
he submitted, and the pirates seniim,and those of his men 
who would not join them, on shore, allowing him to take 
his books, papers, and whatever else he claimed as belong- 
ing to himself ; and besides treating him very humanely, 
gave him several casks of liquor, with arms and powder, to 
purchase provisions in the country. 

I hope this digression, as it was in a manner needful, will 
be excused. I shall now proceed. 

After they had taken in the Dolphin’s company, which 
w’ere on the island, and increased their crew, by that 
means, to the number of 80 hands, they sailed to St. Ma- 
ry’s, where Capt. Mosson’s ship lay at anchor, between the 
island and the main. This gentleman and his whole ship’s 
company had been cut off. at the instigation of Ort-Van- 
tyle, a Dutchman of New -York. 

Out of her they took w^ater casks and other necessaries ; 
which having done, they designed for the river Methelage, 
on the w’est side of Madagascar, in the lat. of 16 degrees 


A NURSE CAPTAIN. 


299 


or thereabouts, to salt up provisions and to proceed to the 
East Indies, cruise oti’ the islands of St. John, and lie in 
wait for the Moor ships from Mocha. 

In their way to Methelage they fell in (as I have said) 
with tiie pirate, on board of whicli was Capt. White. They 
joined company, came to an anchor together in the above 
named river, where they had cleaned, salted and took in 
their provisions, and were ready to go to sea, when a largo 
ship appeared in sight, and stood into the same river. 

The pirates knew not whether she was a merchantman 
or man-of-war. She had been the latter, belonging to the 
French king, and could niount 50 guns; but being taken 
by the English, she was bought by some London merchants, 
and fitted out from that port to slave at Madagascar, and 
go to Jamaica. The captain was a young, inexperienced 
man, who was put in with a nurse. 

The pirates sent their boats to speak with them, but the 
ship firing at them, they concluded it a man of war, and 
rowed asliore ; the grab standing in, and not keeping her 
wind so well as the French built ship, run among a parcel 
of mangroves, and a stump piercing her bottom, she sunk : 
the other run aground, let go her anchor, and came to no 
damage, for the tide of flood fetched her oif. 

The captain of the Speaker, for that was the name of 
the ship which frightened the pirates, was not a little vain 
of having forced these two vessels ashore, though he did 
not know whether they were pirates or merchantmen, and 
could not help expressing himself in these words: ‘‘How 
will my name ring on the exchange, when it is known t 
have run two pirates aground ; ” which gave handle to a 
satirical return from one of his men after he was taken, 
who said, “ Lord ! how our captain’s name will ring on 
the exchange, when it is heard, he frightened two pirate 
siiips ashore, and was taken by their two boats afterwards.’^ 

When the Speaker came within shot, she fired several 
times at the two vessels' ; and when she came to anchor, 
several more into the country, wliich alarmed the negroes, 
who, acquainting their king, he would allow him no trade, 
till the pirates living ashore, and who had a design on his 
ship, interceded for them, telling the king, they were their 
countrymen, and what had happened was througli a mis^ 


300 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE. 


take, it being a custom among them to fire their gans by 
way of respect, and it was owing to the gunner of the 
sliip’s negligence that they fired shot. 

The captain of the Speaker sent his purser ashore, to go 
up the country to the king, who lived about 24 miles from 
the coast, to carry a couple of small arms inlaid with gold, 
a couple of brass blunderbusses, and a pair of pistols, as 
presents, and to require trade. As soon as the purser was 
ashore, he was taken prisoner, by one Tom Collins, a 
Welshman, born in Pembroke who lived on shore, and 
had belonged to the Charming Mary, of Barbadoes, which 
went out with a commission but was converted to a pirate. 
He told the purser he was his prisoner, and must answer the 
damage done to two merchants who were slaving. 3'he , 
purser answered, that he was not commander ; that the 
captain was a hot rash youth, put into business by his 
friends, which he did not understand ; but however, satis- 
faction should be made. He was carried by Collins on 
board Booth’s ship, where, at first, he was talked to in 
pretty strong terms ; but after a while very civilly used, 
and the next morning sent up to the king with a guide, 
and peace made for him. ^ 

The king allowed them trade, and sent down the usual 
presents, a couple of oxen between twenty and thirty peo- 
ple laden with rice, and as many more with the country 
liquor, called tohe. 

The captain then settled the factory on the shore side, 
and began to buy slaves and provisions. The pirates were 
among them, and had opportunities of sounding the men, 
and knowing in what posture the ship lay. They found 
by one Hugh Man, belonging to the Speaker, that there 
were not above 40 men on board, and that they had lost 
the second mate and 20 hands in the long boat, on the 
coast, before they came into this harbor, but that they 
kept a good look out, and had their guns ready primed. 
However he, for a hundred pounds, undertook to wet all 
tiie priming, and assist in taking the ship. 

After some days the captain of the Speaker came on 
shore, and was received with great civility by the heads of 
the pirates, having agreed before to make satisfaction. In 
a day or two after, he was invited by them to eat a barba^ 


WKTTING THE PRIMING. 


801 



cucd slioat, which invitation he actepted. After dinner, 
C^pt. Bowen, who was, 1 have already said, a prisoner on 
board tlie French pirate, but now become one of the fra- 
ternity, and master of the grab, went out, and returned 
with a case of pistols in his hand, and told the Captain of 
the Speaker, whose name I won’t mention, that he was his 
prisoner. He asked, upon what account? Bowen an- 
swered, they wanted his ship, his was a good one, and 
they were resolved to have her, to make amends for the 
dauiage he had done them.” 

In the mean whde his boat’s crew, and the rest of his 
men ashore, were told by others of the pirates, who w’ere 
drinking with them, that they were also prisoners : some 
of them answered, Zjunds, we dorCt trouble our heads what 
we rt/T, let'^s have t’other bowl of punch. 


Hugh Man wetting the Priming of the Guns. 

A watchword was given, and no boat to be admitted on 
.)oard the ship. This word, which was for that night, Cov- 
entry^ w'as known to them. At 8 o’clock' they manned the 
tw^elve-oared boat, and the one they found at Mayotta, 
with 24 men, aii‘1 set out for the ship. When they were 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE. 


no2 


put off, the captain o" the Speaker desired them to come 
back, as lie wanted t(^ speak with tliem. Capt. Booth 
asked wliat lie wanted ! He said, “ they could neVer take 
his ship.” ‘‘ Tlien,” said Booth, “ we’ll die in or alongside 
of her.” — But,” replied the captain, “ if you will go with 
s.ifety, don’t board on tlie larboard side, for there is a gun 
out of the steerage loaded with partridge, wdiich will clear 
the decks.” They thanked him, and proceeded. 

Wiien they were near the ship they were hailed, and the 
answer was, the Coventry. “ AW well,” said the tnate, 
“get the 1 ghts oyer the side ; ” but spying the second 
boat, he asked what boat that was ? One answered it was 
a raft of water, another that it w'as a boat of beef ; this 
disagreement in the answers made the mate suspicious, 
who cried out — Pirates, take to your arms my lads, and 
immediately clapped a match to a gun, which, as the pri- 
ming was before wet by the treachery of Hugh Man, only 
fizzed. They boarded in tbe instant, and made themselves 
masters of her, without the loss of a man on either side. 

The next day they put necessary provisions on board 
the French built siiip, and giv'e her to the captain of the 
Speaker, and those men who would go off with him, 
among whom was Man, who had betrayed his ship ; for 
the pirates had both paid him the 100/ agreed, and kept 
his secret. The captain having thus lost his ship, sailed in 
that which the pirates gave him, for Johanna^ where he fell 
’ll and died with grief. 

The pirates having here victualled, they sailed for the 
Bay of St. xA.ugustine, where they took in between 70 and 
80 men, who had belonged to the ship Alexander, com- 
manded by Capt. James, a pirate. They also took up hei 
guns, and mounted the Speaker with 54, which macle up 
their number, and ;240 men, besides slaves, of which they 
had about 20. 

From hence they sailed for the East Indies, but stopped 
at Zanguebar for fresh provisions, where the Portuguese 
had once a settlement, but now inhabited by Arabians 
Some of them vvent ashore with the captain to buy provis- 
ions. The captain was sent for by the governor, who went 
with about 14 in company. They passed through the 
guard, and when they had entered the governor’s house, 


BOARDING A MOORISH SHIP. 


303 


/hey were all cut off ; and, at the same time, others who 
were in different houses of the town were set upon, which 
made them fly to the shore. The long-boat, which lay off 
a grappling, was immediately put in by those who looked 
after her. There were not above half a dozen of the pi- 
rates who brought tlieir arms ashore, but they plied them 
so well, for they were in the boat, that most of the men 
got into her. The (juarter-master ran down sword in 
hand, and though he was attacked by many, he behaved 
himself so well, that he got into a little canoe, put-off, and 
reached the long-boat. 

In the interim, the little fort the Arabians had, played upon 
the ship, which -returned the salute very warmly. Thus 
they got on board, with the loss of Captain Booth and 20 
men, and set sail for the East Indies. When they were 
under sail, they went to voting for a new captain, and the 
quarter-master, who had behaved so well in the last affair 
with the Arabians, was chosen ; but he declining all com- 
mand the crew made choice of Bowen for captain, Picker- 
ing to succeed him as master, Samuel Herault, a French- 
man, for quarter-master, and Nathaniel North for captain 
quarter-master.* 

Things being thus settled, they came to tiie mouth oi 
the Red Sea, and fell in with 13 sail of Moor ships, which 
they kept company with the greater part of the day, but 
afraid to venture on them, as they took them for Portu- 
guese men-of-war. At length part were for boarding, and 
advised it. The captain though he said little, did not seem 
inclined, for he was but a young pirate, though an old 
commander of a merchantman. Those who pushed for 
boarding, then desired Captain Boremen, already mention- 
ed, to take the command ; but he said he would not be a 
usurper ; that nobody was more fit for it than he who had 
it; that for his part he would stand by his fuzil, and went 
ff)rward to the forecastle with such as would have him 
lake tlie command, to be ready to board ; on which the 
captain’s quarter-master said, if they were resolved to en- 
gage, their- captain, (whose representative he was) did not 
want resolution ; therefore ordered them to get their tacks 
on board (for they had already made a clear ship) and get 
ready for boarding ; which they accordingly did, and corn 


304 


THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE. 


ingup With the sternmost ship, thfty fired a broadside into 
her, whicli killed two Moors, clapped her on board and 
carried her ; but night coining on, they made only this 
prize, which yielded them £500 per man. f’rom hence 
they sailed to the coast of Malabar. The adventures of 
these pirates on this coast are already set down in Captain 
Bowen’s life, to which I refer the reader, and shall only 
observe, that Captain White was all this lime before tlie 
mast, being a forced man from the beginning. 

Bowen’s crew dispersing, Captain White went to Me- 
thelege, where he l.ved ashore with the king, not having 
an opportunity of getting off the island, till another pirate 
ship, called the Prosperous, commanded by one Howard, 
who had been bred a lighterman on the river Thames, came 
in. This ship was taken at Augustin, by some pirates 
from shgre, and the crew of their long-boat, which joined 
them, at the instigation of one Ranten, boatswain’s male, 
who sent for water. They came on board in the night and 
surprised her, though not without resistance, in which the 
captain and chief mate were killed, and several others 
wounded. 

Those who weje ashore with Captain White, resolving 
to enter in this ship, determined him to go also, rather than 
be left alone with. the natives, hoping, by some accident or 
other, to have an opportunity of returning home. He 
continued on board this ship, in w hich he was made quar- 
ter-master, till they met with, and all went on board of 
Bowen, as is set dowm in his life, in vyhich ship he continu- 
ed after Bowen left them. At Port Dolphin he went oft 
in the boats to fetch some of the crew left ashore, the ship 
being blown to sea the night before. The ship not being 
able to get in, and he supposing her gone to the west side 
of the island, as they had formerly proposed, he steered 
that course in his boat wdth 26 men. They touched at 
Augustin, expecting the ship, but she not appearing in a 
week, the time they waited, the king ordered them to be 
gone, telling them they imposed on him with lies, for he 
did not believe they had any ship: however he gave them 
fresh provision : they took in water, and made for Meth- 
elage. Here as Captain White was known to the king> 
they were kindly received, and staid about a fortnight in 


DISPERSION OF THE CREW. 


:305 


expectation of the ship, but she not appearing they raised 
their boat a streak, salted the provision the king gave them, . 
put water aboard, and stood for the north end of the isl- 
and, designing to go round, believing their ship might be 
at the island of St. Mary. When they came to the north 
end, the current, which sets to the N. W. for eight 
months in the year, was so strong they found it impossible 
to get round. Wherefore they got into a harbor, of which 
there are many for small vessels. Here they stayed about 
three weeks or a month, when part of the crew were lor 
burning the boat, and travelling over land to a black king 
of their acquaintance, whose name was Reberimbo, who 
lived at a place called Manangaromasigh, in lat. 15 deg. 
or thereabouts. As this king had been several times as- 
sisted by the whites in his wars, he was a great friend to 
them. Captain White dissuaded them from this under- 
taking, and with much ado, saved the boat ; but one half 
of the men being resolved to go by land, they took what 
provisions they thought necessary, and set out. Captain 
White, and those who staid with him, conveyed them a 
day’s journey, and then returning, he got into the' boat 
with his companions, and went back to Methelege, fear- 
ing these men might return, prevail with the rest, and burn 
the boat. -r . 

Here he built a deck on his boat, and lay by three 
months, in which time there came in three pirates with a 
boat, who had formerly been trepanned on board the Sev- 
ern and Scarborough men-of-war, which had been looking 
for pirates on the east side ; from which ships they made 
their escape at Mohila, in a small canoe to Johanna, and 
from Johanna to Mayotta, where the king built them the 
boat which brought them to Methelege. The time of the 
cjrrcnt’s setting with violence to the N. W. being over, 
they proceeded together in White’s boat (burning that of 
Mayotta) to the north end, w^here the current running yet 
too strong to get round, they went into a harbour and staid 
there a month, maintaining themselves with fish and wild 
hogs, of which there Was a great plenty. At length, hav- 
ing fine weather, and the strength of the current abating, 
they got round ; and after sailing about 40 miles on the 
cast side, they went into a harbour, where they found a 
20 * 


306 


LIFE OF CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE. 


piece of a jacket, which they knew belonged to one of 
those men who had left them to go over land. He had 
been a forced man, and a ship carpenter. This they sup- 
posed he had torn to wrap round his feet ; that part of the 
country being barren and rocky. As they sailed along 
this coast, they came to anchor in convenient harbors every 
night, till th^ got as far as Manangaromasigh, where king 
lieberimbo resided, where they went in to inquire tor their 
men, who left them at the north end, and to recruit witli 
provisions. The latter was given them, but they could get 
no information of their companions. 

' From hence they went to the island of St. Mary, where 
a canoe came otf to them with a letter directed to any 
white man. Tlicy know it to be the hand of one of their 
former shipmates. The contents of this letter was to ad- 
vise them to be on their guard, and not trust too much to 
the blacks of this place, they having been formerly treach- 
erous. They inquired after their ship, and were informed, 
that the company had given her to the Moors, who were 
gone aw'ay with her, and that they themselves were settled 
at Amboy navoula, about 20 leagues to the southward of St. 
Mary, where they lived among the negroes as so many 
sovereign princes. , 

One of the blacks, who brought o^ the letter went on 
board their boat, carried them to the piace called Olumbah, 
a point of land made by a river on one side, and the sea on 
the other, where twelve of them lived together in a large 
house they had built, and fortified with about twenty pie- 
ces of cannon. 

The rest of them were settled in small companies of about 
12 or 14 together, more or less, up the said river, and 
along the coast, every nation by itself, as the English, 
French, Dutch, &c. They made inquiry of their con- 
sorts after the different prizes which belonged to them, 
and they found all very justly laid by to be given them, if 
ever they returned, as were what belonged to the men 
w'ho went over land. Captain White, hankering after 
home, proposed going out again in the boat ; for he was 
adverse to settling witn them ; and many others agreed to 
go under his command ; and if they could meet with a 
ship to carry them to Europe, to follow their old vocation. 


PLUNDER TWO GRABS. 


307 


But the others did not think it reasonable he should have 
the boat, but liiat it should be set to sale for the benefit of 
the conipany. Accordingly it was set up, and Captain 
White bought it for 400 pieces of eight, and with some of 
his old consorts, whose number was increased by others of 
the ship’s crew, he went back the way he had come to 
Methelege. Here he met with a French ship.of about 50 
tons, and 6 guns, which had been taken by some pirates 
who lived at Maralan, on the east side of the island, and 
some of the Degrave East-Indiarnan’s crew, to wiiom the 
master of her l el’used a passage to Europe ; for as he had 
himself been a pirate, and quarter-master to Bowen, in the 
Speaker, he apprehended their taking away his ship. War 
then existing between England and France, he thought 
they might do it without being called in question as pirates. 
The pirates who had been concerned in taking Heraulfs 
ship,' for that was his name, had gone up the country, and 
left her to the men belonging to the Degrave, who had fit- 
ted her up, cleaned and tallowed her, and got in some pro- 
vision, with a design to go to the East-Indies, that they 
might light on some ship to return to their own country. 

Captain White, finding these men proposed joining him, 
and going round to Ambonavoula, to make up a company, 
it was agreed upon^^nd they unanimously chose him com- 
mander. They accordingly put to sea, and stood away 
round the south end of the island, and touched at Don 
Mascarenhas, where he took in a surgeon, and stretching 
over again to Madagascar, fell in with Ambonavoula, and 
made up his complement of 60 men. From hence he 
shaped his course for the island of Mayotta, where he 
cleaned his ship, and waited for the season to go into the 
lied Sea. His provisions being taken in, the time proper, 
and the ship well fitted, he steered for Babelmandel, and 
running into a harbor, w'aited for the Mocha ships. 

He here took two grabs laden with provisions, and hav- 
ing some small money and drugs aboard. These he plun- 
dered of what w£^s for his turn, kept them a fortnight by 
him, and let them go. Soon after they espied a lofty ship, 
upon which they put to sea ; but finding her European 
built, and too strong to attempt, for it was a Dutchman, 
diey gave over the chase, and were glad to shake him off. 


308 


LIFE OF CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE. 


and return to their station. Fancying they were here dis- 
covered, from the coast of Arabia, or tliat the grabs had 
given information of them they stood over for the Ethiopi- 
an shore, keeping a good look out for the Mocha ships. A 
few days after, they met with a large ship of about 1000 
tons and 600 men, called the Malabar, w hich they chased, 
kept company with her all night, and took in the morning, 
with the loss of only their boatswain, and two or three 
men wounded. In taking this ship, they damaged their 
own so much, by springing their foremast, c^^rying away 
their bowsprit, and beating in part of their upper w'oiks 
that they did not think her longer fit for their use. The) 
therefore filled her away with prisoners, gave them provis 
ion and sent them away. 

Some days after this, they espied a Portuguese man-oi • 
war of 44 guns, which they chased, but gave it over 
by carrying away their main-top-mast, so that they did 
not speak with her, for the Portuguese took no notice of 
them. Four days after they had left this man-of-war, they 
fell in with a Portuguese merchantman, which they chased 
with English colors flying. The chase, taking White for 
an English man-of-war or East-Indiaman, made no sail to 
get from him, but on his coming up, brought to, and sent 
his boat on board with a present of sweetmeats for the 
English captain. His boat’s crew was detained, and the 
pirates getting into his boat with their arms, went on board, 
and fired on tlie Portuguese, w'ho being surprised, asked if 
war w^as broke out between England and Portugal ? Tiiey 
answ^ered in the affirmative, but the captain could not be- 
lieve them. However they took what they liked, and kept 
him with them. 

After two days they met with the Dorothy, an English 
ship. Captain Penruddock, commander, coming from Mo- 
cha. Tliey exchanged several shots in the chase, but 
w hen they came along side of her, they entered their men, 
and found no resistance, she being navigated by Moors, no 
Europeans, except the officers being on board. On a vote, 
they gave Captain Penruddock (from whom they took a 
considerable quantity of money) t!ie Portuguese ship and 
cargo, with what bale he pleased to take out of his own, 
bid him go about his business, and make what he could 


t 


PIRATES TAKE PITY ON TWO CHILDREN. 


309 


ol het, As to the English ship, they kept her for their 
own use. 

Soon after they plundered the Malabar ship, out of 
which they took as much money as came to £--200 sterling 
a man, but missed 50,000 sequins, which were hid in a jar 
under a cow’s stall, kept for the giving milk to the Moor 
si]j)ercargo, an ancient man. They then put the Portuguese 
and Moor prisoners on board the Malabar, and sent them 
about their business. The day after they had sent thein 
away, one Ca{)tain I3enj;wnin Stacy, in a ketch of 6 guns 
fell into their hands. I'iiey took what money he had, and 
what goods and provisions they wanted. Among the 
money wore 500 dollars, a silver mug, and two spoons be- 
longing to a couple of children on board, who were under 
th() care of Stacy. The children took on for their loss, 
and the captain asked the reason of their tears, was an- 
swered by Stacy, tiiat the above sum and plate was all the 
children had to bring them up. Captain White made a 
speech to his men, and told them it was cruel to rob the 
innocent children; upon which, by unanimous consent, af. 
was restored to them again. Besides, they made a gather 
ing among themselves, and made a present to Stacy’s 
mate, and other of his inferior olficcrs, and about 120 dol- 
lars to the children. They then discharged Stacy and 
his crew, and made the best of their way out of the 
Red Sea. 

They came into the bay of Defarr, where they found a 
ketch at anchor, which the people had made prize of, by 
seizing tlie master and bf)at’s crew ashore, d'hey found a 
French gentleman, one Monsieur Berger, on board, whom 
they carried with them, took out about *2000 dollars, and 
sold the ketch to the chief ashore for provision. 

lienee tiiey sailed for Madagascar, but touched at Mas- 
carenlias, where several of them went ashore with their 
booty, about £1*200 a man. Here taking in fresh provis- 
ions, White steered for Madagascar, and fell in with 
Hopeful Point wiiere they shared their goods, and took up 
settlements ashore, where White built a house, bought 
cattle, took off the upper deck of his ship, and was fitting 
her up for the next season. When she was near ready 
for sea, Captain John Halsey, who had made a broken 


310 


LIFE OF CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE. 


voyage, came in v/ith a brigantine, which being aanore 
proper vessel for their turn, they desisted from working on 
the ship, and those who- had a mind Ibr fresh adventures, 
went on board Ilafsey, among whom Captain Wiiite enter- 
ed before the mast. 

At his return to Madagascar, White was taken ill of a 
flux, which in about five or six* months ended his days. 
Finding his time was drawing nigh, he made his w'ill, left 
several legacies, and named three men of diflerent nations, 
guardian to a son he had by a woman in the country, re- 
'(]uiring he miglit be sent to England with the money he 
left him, by the first English -ship, to be brought up in the 
Christian religion, in hopes that he might live a better 
man than his father. He was buried with the same cere- 
mony they used at the funerals of their companions, which 
is mentioned in the account of Halsey. Some years alter, 
an English ship touching there, the guardians faithfully 
discharged their trust, and put him on board witli the cap- 
tain, who brouglit up the boy with care, acting by him as 
became a man of probity and honor. 




THE LIFE, ATROCITIES, AND BLOODY DEATH OF 



Death of Black Beard, 

Edward Teach was a native of Bristol, and having 
gone to Jamaica, frequently sailed from that port as one of 


312 


THE LIFE OF BLACK BEARD. 


the f.rew of a privateer during the French war. In that 
station he gave frequent proofs of his boldness and personal 
courage ; but he was not entrusted with any command until 
Ca[)tain Benjamin Hornigold gave him the command of a 
prize which he had taken. 

In the spring of 1717, Hornigold and Teach sailed from 
Providence for tlie continent of America,* and in their way 
captured a small vessel with 120 barrels of flour, which 
they put on board their own vessels. They alf^ seized two 
other vessels ; from one they took some gall ns of wine, 
and from the other, plunder to a considerable vJilue. 
After cleaning u|)on the coast of Virginia, they made a 
prize of a large French Guineaman bound to Martinique, 
and Teach obtaining the command of her, went upon a 
cruise. Hornigold, with the two vessels, returned to the 
island of Providence, and surrendered to the king’s 
clemency. 

Teach now began to act an indej:iendent part. He 
mounted his vessel with forty guns, and named her “The 
Queen Anne’s Revenge.” Cruising* near the island of St. 
Vincent, he took a large ship, called the. Great Allan, and 
after having plundered her of what he deemed proper, set 
her on fire. A few days after. Teach encountered the 
Scarborough man-of-war, and engaged her for some hours; 
but perceiving his strength and resolution, she retired, and 
left Teach to pursue his depredations. His next adventure 
was with a sloop of ten guns, commanded by Major Bonnet, 
whose actions we have already related, and these two hav- 
ing united their fortunes, co-operated or some time : but 
Teach finding him unacquainted with naval affairs, gave 
the command of Bonnet’s ship to Richards, one of his own 
crew, and entertained Bonnet on board his own vessel. 
Wal 3 ring at TurnifF, they discovered a sail, and Richards 
with the Revenge slipped her cable, and ran out to meet 
her. Upon seeing the black flag hoisted, the vessel struck, 
and came-to under the stern of Teach the commodore. 
This was the Adventure from .Jamaica. They took the 
captain and his men on board the great ship, aud piannecT 
his sloop for their own service. * - 

Weighing from Turniflf, where they remained during a 
week, and sailing to the bay, they found there a ship and 


BLACK BEARD BLOCKADES CHARLESTON. 


313 


four sloops. Teach hoisted his flag, and began »to fire at 
them, upon which the captain and his men left their ship' 
and fled to the shore. Teach burned two of these sloops, 
and let the other three depart. 

They afterwards sailed to different places, and having 
taken two small vessels, anchored off the bar of Charles- 
ton for a few days. Here they captured a ship bound 
for England, as she was coming out of the harbor. They 
next seized a vessel coming out of Charleston, and two 
pinks coming into the same harbor., together with a brig- 
antine with fourteen negroes. The audac#|r of these 
transactions, performed in sight of the town, struck the 
inhabitants with terror, as they had been latel) visited by 
some other notorious pirates. Meanwhile, there were 
eight sail in the harbor, none of which durst set to sea for 
fear of falling into the hands of Teach. The trade of this 
place was totally interrupted, and the inhabitants were 
abandoned to despair. Their calamity was greatly aug- 
mented from this circumstance, that a long and desperate 
war with the natives had just terminated, when they began 
to be infested by these robbers. 

Teach havijig detained all the persons taken in these 
ships as prisoners, they were soon in great want of medi- 
cines, and he had the audacity to demand a chest from the 
governor. This demand was made in a manner not less 
daring than insolent. Teach sent Richards, the captain of 
the Revenge, with Mr. Marks, one of the prisoners, and 
several others, to present their request. Richards informed 
the governor, that unless their demand was granted, and 
he and his companions returned in safety, every prisoner 
on board the captured ships should instantly be slain, and 
the vessels consumed to ashes. 

During the time that Mr. Marks was negotiating with 
the governor, Richards and his associates walked the streets 
at pleasure, while indignation flamed from every eye 
against them, as the r^obbers of their property, and the 
terror of their country. Though the affront thus offered 
to the Government was great and most audacious, yet, to 
i preserve the lives.»of so many men, they granted their 
p request, and sent on board a chest valued at three or four 
hundred pounds. 

27 ^ 


314 


THE LIFE OF BLACK BEARD. 


^ Teach, as soon as he received the medicines and his fel- 
low pirates, pillaged the ships of gold and provisions; and 
then dismissed the prisoners with their vessels. From the 
bar of Charleston they sailed to North Carolina. Teach 
now began to reflect how he could best secure the spoil, 
along with some of the crew who were his favorites. 
Accordingly, under pretence of cleaning, he ran his vessel 
on shore, and grounded ; then ordered the men in Hands’ 
sloop to come to his assistance, which they endeavoring to 
do, also ran aground,. and so they were both lost. Then 
Teach wertfcnto the tender with forty hands, and upon a 
sandy island, -about a league from shore, where there was 
neither bird nor beast, nor herb for their subsistence, he 
left seventeen of his crew, who must inevitably have per- 
ished, had not Major Bonnet received intelligence of their 
miserable situation, and sent a long-boat for them. After 
this barbarous deed. Teach, with the remainder of his 
crew, went and surrendered to tjie governor of North Car- 
olina, retaining all the property which had been acquired 
by his fleet. 

The temporary suspension of the depredations of Black 
Beard, for so he was now called, did not proceed from a 
conviction of his former errors, or a determination to 
reform, but to prepare for future and more extensive 
exploits. As governors are but men, and not unfrequently 
by no means possessed of the most virtuous principles, the 
gold of Black Beard rendered him comely in the governor’s 
eyes, and, by his influence, he obtained a legal right to the 
great ship called “ The Queen Anne’s Revenge.” By 
order of the governor, a court of vice-admiralty was held 
at Bath-town, and that vessel was condemned as a lawful 
prize which he had taken from the Spaniards, though it 
was a well-known fact that she belonged to English mer- 
chants. Before he entered upon his new adventures, he 
married a young woman of about sixteen years of age, the 
governor himself attending the ceremony. It was reported 
that this was only his fourteenth Vife, about twelve of 
whom were yet alive ; and though this woman was young 
and amiable, he behaved towards her in a manner so bru- 
tal, that it was shocking to all decency and propriety, even 
among his abandoned crew of pirates. 4 


BURNIxNG OF A FRENCH VESSEL. 


315 


In Iiis first voyage, Black Beard directed liis couroe t(| 
the Bermudas, and meeting with two or three English 
vessels, emptied them of their stores and other necessaries, 
and allowed them to proceed. He also met with two 
French vessels bound for Martinique, the one light, and 
the other laden with sugar and cocoa : he put the men on 
hoard the latter into the former, and allowed her to depart 
He brought the freighted vessel into North Cirolina, 
where the governor and Black Beard shared the prizes. 
Nor did their audacity and villany stop here. Teach and 
some of his abandoned crew waited upon his ‘excellency, 
and swore that they had seized the French ship at sea, 
without a soul on board ; therefore a court was called, and 
she was condemned, the honorable governor received sixty 
hogsheads of sugar for his share, his secretary twenty, and 
the pirates the remainder. But as guilt always inspires 
suspicion. Teach w^as afraid that some one might arrive in 
the harbor who might detect the roguery : therefore, upon 
pretence that die was leaky, and might sink, and so stop 
up the entrance to the harbor where she lay, they obtained 
the governor’s liberty to drag her into the river, where &he 
was set on fire, and when burnt down to the water, der 
bottom was sunk, that so she might never rise in judgnient 
against the governor and his confederates. 

Black Beard now being in the province of Friendship, 
passed several months in the river, giving and receit^ing 
visits from the planters ; while he traded wuth the vet<sels 
which came to that river, sometimes in the way of lawful 
commerce, and sometimes in his own way. When he 
chose to appear the honest man, he made fair purchases on 
equal barter ; but when this did not suit his necessities, or 
his humor, he would rob at pleasure, and leave them to 
seek their redress frorlf the governor ; and the better to 
cover his intrigues with his excellency, he would some- 
times outbrave him to his face, and administer to him a 
share of that contempt and insolence which he so liberally 
bestowed upon the rest of the inhabitants of the province. 

But there are limits to human insolence and depravity. 
The captains of the vessels who frequented that river, and 
had been so often harrassed and plundered by Black Beard, 
secretly consulted with some of the planters what measures 


16 


THE LIFK OF BLACK BEARO. 


:) pursue, in order to banish sucli an infamous miscreant [ 
rom their coasts, ami lo bring him to deserved f)unislunenL 
"onvinccd from long ex|>eriencc, that the governor himself, 

0 whom it belonged, wouhl give no redress, they repre- * 
ented the mutter to the governor of V^irginia, and entreated 
hat an armed force miglit be sent from tlm men-of-wai 
)^ing there, either to take or to destroy those pirates w ho 
iifested their coast. 

* Upon this reprc.sentation, the Governor of \ irginia con- 
ulted with the ca|)tains of the tw’o men'df-vvar as to the 
►est measures to be^ adopted, lie w'as resolved that the 
governor sh.ould hire two small vcs.sels. w’hich could pursue 
>lack Beard into all his inlets an. 1 creeks ; tlmt they should 
►e manned from the men-of-WMr, and tl»e command given 
o Lieutenant Maynard, an experienced and resolute otlicer. 
>Vhen all was ready for his departure, the governor called 
in assembly, in which it was resolved to issue a proclarna 
ion, otlering a great reward to any who, within , a yeftr^ 
hould take or destroy any pirate. 

Upon the nthof November, 1717, Maynard left James’s 
iver in quest of Black Beard, and on the evening of the ; 
Bst came in sigljt of the pirate. This expedition was 
itte<l out with all possible ex[>edition and secrecy, no boat 
>eing permitted to pass that might convey any intelligence, 
vhile care was taken to di.'cover w here the pirates were 


urking. His e.xcellency the governor of Bermuda, and 
lis secretary, however, having obtained information of the 
ntended expedition, the latter wrote a letter to Black 
beard, intimating, that he had sent him four of his men, 
ivlio were all he could meet w'ith in or about town, and so 
aade him be upon his guard. These men Were sent from 
Bath-town to the place where Black Beard lay, about the 
distance of twenty leagues. 

The hardened and infatuated pirate, having been often 
deceived by false intelligence, w'as the less attentive to this 
information, nor was he convinced of its accuracy until he 
saw the sloops sent to apprehend him. Though he had 
then only twenty men on board, he prepared to give battle. 
Lieutenant Maynard arrived with his sloops in the evening, 
and anchored, as he could not venture, under cloud of 
night, to go into the place w here Black Beard lay. .Tho 


LIEUTENANT MAYNARD ATTACKS BLACK BEARD. 31 " 

latter spent the night in drinlung with the master of a 
trading vessel, with the same indiilerence as if no dangei 
iiad been near. Nay, such was the desperate wickedness 
of this villain, that, it is reported, during the carousals of 
that night, one of his men asked him, “ In case any thing 
should happen to him during the engagement with the tvvc 
sloops which were waiting to attack him in the morning, 
whether his wife knew where he had buried his money?’* 
when he Impiously replied, “That nobody but himself and 
the devil knew where it was, and the longest liver should 
take all.” 

In the morning Maynard weighed, and sent his boat tc 
sound, whicd coming near the pirate, received her fire. 
Maynard then hoisted royal colors, and made directly 
towards Black Beard woth every sail and oar. In a little 
time the pirate ran aground, and so also did the king’s 
vessels. Maynard lightened his vessel of the ballast and 
water, and ina<ie tow^ards Black Beard. Upon this he 
hailed him in his own rude style, “D — n you for villains, 
who are you, and from whence come you?” The lieuten- 
ant answered, “You may see from our colors we are no 
pirates.” Black Beard bade him send his boat on board, 
that he might see who he w^as. But Maynard replied, 
“I cannot spare my boat, but I will come on board of you 
as soon as I can w th my sloop.” Upon this Black Beard 
took a glass of liquor and drank to him, saying, “I’ll give 
no quarter nor take any from you.” Maynard replied. 
“ lie expected no quarter from him, nor should he give 
him any.” 

During this dialogue the pirate’s ship floated, and the 
sloops were rowdng with all expedition towards him. As 
she came near, the pirate fired a broadside, charged with 
all nanner of small shot, which killed or wounded twenty 
men. Black Beard’s ship in a little after fell broadside 
to the shore ; one of the sloops called the Ranger, also fell 
astern. But Maynard finding that his own sloop had way^ 
and would soon be on board of Teacli, ordered all his men 
down, while himself and the man at the helm, whom he 
commanded to lie concealed, were the only persons who 
remained on deck. He at the same time desired them tc 
take their pistols, cutlasses, and swords, and be ready foi 
<• 21 * 


318 


THE LIFE OF BLACK BEDARD. 


kpction upon his call, and, for greater expedition, two 
ladders were placed in the hatchway. When the king’s 
sloop boarded, the pirate’s case-boxes, filled with powder, 
small shot, slugs, and pieces of lead and iron, with a quick- 
match in the mouth of them, were thrown into Maynard’s 
sloop. Fortunately, however, the men being in the liold, 
they did small injury on the present occasion, though they 
are usually very destructive. Black Beard seeing few or 
no hands upon deck, cried to hjs men that they were all 
knocked on the head except three or four ; “ and there- 
fore,” said he, ‘Met us jump on board, and cut to pieces 
those that are alive.” 

Upon this, dujing the smoke occasioned by one of these 
case-boxes. Black Beard, with fourteen of his men, entered, 
and were not perceived until the smoke was dispelled. The 
signal was given to Maynard’s men, who rushed up in an 
instant. Black Beard and the lieutenant exchanged shots, 
and the pirate was wounded; they then engaged sword in 
hand, until the sword of the lieutenant bnjke, but fortu- 
nately one of his men at that instant gave Black Beard a 
terrible wound in the neck and throat. The most desperate 
and bloody conflict ensued : — Maynard with twelve men, 
and Black Beard with fourteen. The sea was dyed with 
blood all around the vessel, and uncommon bravery was 
displayed upon both sides. Though the pirate was 
wounded by the first shot from Maynard, though he had 
•received twenty cuts, and as many shots, he fought with 
desperate valor; but at length, when in the act of cocking 
his pistol, fell down dead. By this time eight of his men 
had fallen, and the rest Being wounded, cried out for 
quarter, which was granted, as the ringleader was slain. 
The other sloop also attacked the men who remained in 
the pirate vessels, until they also cried out for quart(*r. 
And such was the desperation of Black Beard, that, having 
small hope of escaping, he had placed a negro with a 
match at the gun-powder door, to blow up the ship the 
moment that he should have been boarded by the king’s 
men, in order to involve the whole in general ruin. That 
destructive broadside at the commencement of the action, 
which at first appeared so unlucky, was, however, the 
means of their preservation from the intended destruction 


VILLANY OF THE GOVERNOB DETECTED. 319 



Black Beard^s Head on the end of the Bowsprit. 


Maynard severed the pirate’s head from his body, sus- 
pended it upon his bowsprit-end, and sailed to Bath-town, 
to obtain medical aid for his wounded men. In the pirate 
sloop several letters and papers were found, which Black 
Beard would certainly have destroyed previous to the 
engagement, had he not determined to blow her up upon 
his being taken, which disclosed the whole villainy between 
the honorable governor of Bermuda and his honest secretary 
on the one hand, and the notorious pirate on the other, 
who had now suffered the just punishment of his crimes. 

Scarcely was Maynard returned to Bath-town, when he 
boldly went and made free with the sixty hogsheads of 
sugar in the possession of the governor, and the twenty in 
that of his secretary. 


THE LIFE OF BLACK BEARD. 


^‘•^0 


After his men had been healed at Bath-town, the lieuten 
ant proceeded to Virginia, with the Head of Black Beard 
still suspended on his bowsprit-end, as a trophy of his 
victory, to the great joy of all the inhabitants, d’he pris- 
oners were tried, condemned, and executed ; and thus all 
the crew of that infernal miscreant, Black Beard, were 
destroyed, excejjt two. One of these was taken out of a 
trading-vessel, only tiie day before the engagement, in 
which he received no less than seventy wounds, of all which 
he w'as cured. The other was Israel Hands, who was 
master of the Queen Anne’s Revenge; he was taken at 
Bath-town, being w^ounded in one of Black Beard’s savage 
humors. One night Black Beard, drinl.ing in his cabin 
with Hands, the pilot, and another man, wiihout any pre- 
tence, took a small pair of pistols, and cocked them under 
the table; which being perceived by the man, he went on 
deck, leaving the captain. Hands, and the pilot together. 
When his pistols were prepared, he extingjii.shed the can- 
dle, crossed his arms, and fired at his company, d’he one 
pistol did no execution, but the other wounded Hands in 
the knee. Interrogated concerning the meaning of this, 
he answered with an imprecation, “That if he did not now 
and then kill one of them, they would forget who he was.” 
Hands was eventually tried and condemned, but as he was 
about to be executed, a vessel arrived with a proclamation 
prolonging the time of his Majesty’s pardon, which Hands 
pleading, he was saved from a violent and sliameful death. 

In the commonwealth of pirates, he w ho goes the greatest 
length of wickedness, is looked upon wdlh a kind of envy 
amongst them, as a person of a most extraordinary gal- 
lantry ; he is therefore entitled to be distinguished by some 
post, and, if such a one has but courage, he must certainly 
be a great man. The hero of whom we are writing w as 
thoroughly accomplished in this way, and some of his 
frolics of wickedness were as extravagant as if lie aimed at 
making his men believe he wa? a devil incarnate. Being 
one day at sea, and a little flushed w'ith drink; “ Coine,” 
said he, “ let us make a hell of our own, and try how long 
W’e can bear it.” Accordingly he, with tw'o or three others, 
went down into the hold, and, c'osing up all the hatches, 
filled several pots full of brimstone, and other combusuble 


The cr €1 Blackbeard s and V^aue’s vessels carousing on the coast oX leiina. 









BLACK BEARD IN HELL. 


323 


matter ; they then set it on fire, and so continued till they 
were almost suffocated, when some of the men cried out 
for air; at length he opened the hatches, not a little pleased 
that he had held out the longest. 

Those of his crew who were taken' alive, told a story 
which may appear a little incredible. That once, upon a 
cruise, they found out that they had a man on board more 
than their crew ; such a one was seen several days amongst 
them, sometimes below, and sometimes upon deck, yet no 
man in the ship could give any account who he was, or 
from whence he came ; but that he disappeared a little 
before they were cast away in their great ship, and, it 
seems, they verily believed it was the devil. 

One would think these things should have induced them 
to reform their lives ; but being so many reprobates to- 
gether, they encouraged and spirited one another up in 
their wickedness, to which a continual course of drinking 
did not a little contribute. In Black Beard’s journal, which 
was taken, there were several memoranda of the following 
nature, all written with his own hand. — “ Such a day, rum 
all out ; — our company somewhat sober ; — a d — d confusion 
amongst us ! — rogues a plotting ; — great talk of separation. 
So I looked sharp for a prize ; — such a day took one, tvith 
a great deal of liquor on board ; so kept the company hot, 
d — d hot, then all things went well again.” 

We shall close the narrative of this extraordinary man’s 
life by an account of the cause why he was denominated 
Black Beard. He derived this name from his long black 
beard, which, like a frightful meteor, covered his whole 
face, and terrified all America more than Rny comet that 
had ever appeared. He was accustomed to twist it with 
libbon in small quantities, and turn them about his ears. 
In time of action he wore a sling over his shoulders with 
three brace of pistols. He stuck lighted matches under 
his hat, which a{)peared on both sides of his face and eyes, 
naturally fierce and wild, made him such a figure that the 
human imagination cannot form a conception of a fury more 
terrible and alarming; and if he had the appearance and 
look of a fury, his actions corresponded with tliat character 


THE 


EXPLOITS, ARREST, AND EXECUTION 

OF 

CAPTAIN CHARLES VANE. 


Charles Vane was one of those who stole away the 
silver which the Spaniards had fished up from the wrecks 
of the galleons in the Gulf of Florida, and was at Provi- 
dence when governor Rodgers arrived there with two rnen- 
of-war, as the reader has been informed. 

All the pirates who were then found at this colony of 
rogues, submitted and received certificates of their pardon, 
except Captain Vane and his crew ; who, as soon as they 
saw the men-of-war enter, slipped their cahh^ set fire to a 
prize they had in the harbour, sailed out with their pirati- 
cal colors dying, and fired at one of the men-of-war, as 
they went oft' from the coast. 

Two days after, they met with a sloop belonging to Bar- 
badoes, which they took, and kept the vessel for their own 
use, putting aboard five and twenty hands, with one Yeates 
the commander. In a day or two they fi ll in with a small 
interloping trader, with a quantity of S{ninish pieces of 
eight aboard, bound for Providence, \vhich they also took 
along with them. With these two sloops. Vane went to a 
small island and cleaned ; where he shared the booty, and 
S{»ent some time in a riotous manner. 

About the latter end of May 1718, Vane and his crew 
sailed, and being in want of provisions, they beat up for 
the Windv^ard Islands. In the \Vay they met with a Span- 
ish sloop, bound from Porto Rico tq the Havana, which 
they burnt, stowed the Spairards into a boat, anil left them 
to get to the island by the blaze of their vessel. Steering 
between St. Christopher’s and Anguilla, they fell in v/ith a 


VAJ^E AND VEATES DISSOLVE PARTNER<^lIir. 


325 


brigantine and a sloop, freighted with such cargo as they 
wanted ; from wlioni they got provisions for sea-store. 

Sometime after this, standmg to the northward, in the 
track tiie old English ships take in t!;eir voyage to the 
American colonies, they took several ships and vessels, 
which they plundered of what they thought tit, and then 
let tiiem pass. 

About the latter end of August, with his consort Yea tee, 
came off South Carolina, and took a ship belonging to Ips- 
wich, laden with logwood. This was thought convenient 
enough for their own business, and therefore they ordered 
their prisoners to work, and threw all the lading overboard ; 
but when they had more than half cleared the ship, the 
whim changed, and they would not have her; so Cugger- 
shall, the captain of the captured vessel, had his ship again, 
and he was suffered to pursue his voyage home. In this 
voyage the pirates took several ships and vessels, particu- 
larly a sloop from Barbadoes, a small ship from Antigua, a 
sloop belonging to Curagoa, and a large brigantine from 
Guinea, with upwards of ninety negroes aboard. The pi- 
. rates plundered them all and let them go, putting the ne- 
groes out of the brigantine aboard Yeates’ vessel. 

Captain Vane always treated his consort with very little 
respect, and assumed a superiority over him and his crew, 
regarding the vessel but as a tender to his own : this gave 
them disgust ; for they thought themselves as good pirates, 
and as great rogues as the best of them ; so they caballed 
together, and resolved, the first opportunity, to leave the 
company, and accept of his majesty’s pardon,- or set up for 
themselves ; either of which they thought more honorable 
than to be the servants to Vane : the putting aboard so 
many negroes, where there were so few hands to take (tare 
of them, aggravated the matter, though they thought / 1 to 
conceal or stifle their resentment at that time. 

In a day or two, the pirates lying off at anchor, Yeates 
j in tire evening slipped his cable, and put his vessel under 
I Bail, standing into the shore; which when Vane saw, he 
\ was highly provoked, and got his sloop under sail to chase 
ijd his consort. Vane’s brigantine sailing best, he gained 
” ground of Yeates, and would certainly have come up with 
i them, had he had a little longer run ; but just as he got 
28 


326 


CAPTAIN CHARLES VANE. 


over the bar, when Vl 'e came within gun-shot of him, he 
fired a broadside at his old friend, and so took his leave. 

Yeates came into North Eddisto river, about ten leagues 
to the southward of Charleston, and sent an express to 
the governor, to know if he and his comrades might have 
the benefit of his majesty’s pardon’; promising that, if they 
might, they would surrender themselves to his mercy, with 
the sloops and negroes. Their request being granted, they 
all came up, and received certificates ; and Captain Thomp- 
son, from whom the negroes were taken, had them all re- 
stored to him, for the use of his owners. 

Vane cruised some time off the bar, in hopes to catch 
Yeates at his coming out again, but therein he was disap- 
pointed ; however, he there took two ships from Charles- 
ton, which were bound home to England. It happened 
just at this time, that two sloops well manned and armed, 
were equipped to go after a pirate, which the governor ol 
South Carolina was informed lay then in Cape Fear river 
cleaning: but Colonel Rhet, who commanded the sloops, 
meeting with one of the ships that Vane had plundered, 
going back aver the bar for such necessaries as had been 
taken from her, and she giving the Colonel an account of 
being taken by the pirate Vane, and also, that some of her 
men, while they were prisoners on board of him, had heard 
the pirates say they should clean in one of the rivers to the 
southward, he altered his first design, and instead of stand- 
ing to the northward, in pursuit of the pirate in Cape Fear 
river, turned to the southward after Vane, who had ordered 
such reports to be given out, on purpose to put any force 
that should come after him upon a wrong scent ; for he 
stood away to the northward, so that the pursuit proved to 
be of no effect. Colonel Rhet’s speaking with this ship 
was the most unlucky thing that could have happened, be- 
cause it turned him out of the road which, in all proba- 
bility, would have brought him into the company of Vane, 
as well as of the pirate he went after, and so they might 
have been both destroyed ; whereas, by the Colonel’s going 
a different way, he not only lost the opportunity of meeting 
with one, but if the other had not been infatuated, and lain 
six weeks together at Cape. Fear, he w'ould have missed him 
likewise ; however, the Colonel having searched the rivers 


VANE FALLS IN WITH BLACK BEARD. 


327 


and inlets, as directed, for several days without success, at 
length sailed in prosecution of his first design, and met 
with the pirate accordingly, whom he fought and took. 

Captain Vane went into an inlet to the northward, where 
he met with Captain Teach, otherwise Black Beard, whom 
he saluted (when he found who he was) with his great 
guns loaded with shot : it being the custom among pU 
rates when they meet, to do so, though tiiey are wide of 
one another : Black Beard answered the salute in the same 
manner, and mutual civilities passed between them some 
days, when, about the beginning of October, Vane took 
leave, and sailed farther to the northward. 

On the 23d of October, off Long Island, he took a small 
brigantine bound from Jamaica to Salem in New England, 
besides a little sloop : they rifled the brigantine, and sent 
her away. From thence they resolved on a cruise between 
Cape Meise and Cape Nicholas, where they spent some 
time without seeing or speaking with any vessel, till the 
latter end of November ; they then fell in with a ship, 
which it was expected would have struck as soon as their 
black colors were hoisted ; but instead of this she dis- 
charged a broadside upon the pirate, and hoisted French 
colors, which showed her to be a French man-of-war. Vane 
desired to have nothing more to say to her, but trimmed 
his sails, and stood away from the Frenchman ; however, 
Monsieur having a mind to be better informed who he was, 
set all his sails and crowded after him. During this chase 
, the pirates were divided in their resolution what to do : 

; Vane, the captain, was for making off* as fast as he could, 
alleging that the man-of-war was too strong for them to 
cope with; but one John Rackam, their quarter-master, and 
\ who was a kind of check upon the captain, rose up in de- 
1 fence of a contrary opinion, saying, ‘‘ that though she had 
more guns, and a greater weight of metal, they might board 
her, and then the best boys would carry the day.” Rackam 
was well seconded, and the majority was for boarding; biv 
Vane urged, “ that it was too rash and desperate an enter 
1 prise, the man-of-war appearing to be twice their forcQ 
and that their brigantine might be sunk by her before they 
could reach to board her. The mate, one Robert Deal, 
was of Vane’s opinion, as were about fifteen more, and all 


S2S 


CAPTAIN CHARLES VANE. 


the rest joined with Rackam the quarter-master. At length 
the captain made use of his power to determine this dispute, 
which in .these cases is absolute and uncontrollable, by 
their own laws, viz. the captain’s ab.^olute right of deter- 
mining in all questions concerning fighting, chasing, of 
being chased ; in all other matters w.hatsoever the captain 
being governed by a majority ; so the' brigantine having 
the heels, as they term it, of the Frenchman, she came 
clear off. 

But the next day, the captain’s conduct was obliged to 
stand the test of a vote, and a resolution passed against his 
honor and dignity, which branded him with llie name of 
coward, deposed him from the command, and turned him 
out of the company with marks of infamy ; and with him 
W'cnt all those who did not vote for b{>arding the French 
man-of-war. They had with them a small sloop that had 
been taken by them some time before, which tliey gave to 
V^ane and the discarded members; and that they might be 
in a condition to provide for themselves by their own honest 
endeavors, they let them have a sufficient (piantity of pro- 
visions and ammunition. 

John Rackam was voted captain of the brigantine in 
Vane’s room, and he proceeded towards the Carribbee 
Islands, where we must leave him, till we have finished our 
history of Charles Vane. 

The sloop sailed for the bay of Honduras, and Vane and 
his crew put her in as good a condition as they could by 
the way, that they might follow their old trade. They 
cruised two or three days off the north-west part of Jamai- 
ca, and took a sloop and two perriaguas, all the men of which 
entered with them : the sloop they kept, and Robert Deal 
was appointed captain. 

On the 16 th of December, the two sloops came into the 
bay, where they found only one vessel at anchor. She was 
called the Pearl of Jamaica, and got under sail at the sight 
of them ; but the pirate sloops coming near Rowland, and 
showdng no colors, he gave them a gun or two, whereupon 
they hoisted the black flag, and fired three guns each at 
the Pearl. She struck, and the pirates took possesion, 
and carried her away to a small island called Barnacho, 
where they cleaned. By the way they met with a sloop 


VANE CAST AWAY. 


329 


from Jamaica, as slie was going down to the bay, which 
they also took. 

In February, Vane sailed from Barnacho, for a cruise; 
but, some days alter he was out, a violent tornado overtook 
him, which separated him from his consort, and, after two 
days’ distress, threw his sloop upon a small uninhabited 
island, near the bay of Honduras, where she staved to 
pieces, and most of her men were drowmed ; Vane him- 
self was saved, but reduced to great straits for want of ne- 
cessaries, having no opportunity to get any thing from the 
wreck. He lived here some weeks, and was supported 
chietly by fishermen, w|io frequented the island with small 
crafts from the main, to catch turtles and other fish. 



Vane arrested by Captain Halford. 


While Vane was upon this island, a ship put in there 
from Jamaica for w'ater, the captain of w'hich, one Holford, 
an old buccaneer, happened to be Vane’s acquaintance. 

28 * w 


330 


CAPTAIN CHARLES VANE. 


He thought this a good opportunity to get off, and accord- 
ingly applied to his old friend : but Ilolford absolutely re- 
fused him, saying to him, “Charles, I shan’t trust you 
aboard my ship, unless I carry you as a prisoner, for 1 shall 
have you caballing with my men, knocking me on the head, 
and running away with my ship pirating.” Vane made all 
the protestations of honor in the world to him; but, it 
seems, captain Holford was too intimately acquainted with 
him, to repose any confidence at all in his words or oaths. 
He told him, “ He might easily find a way to get off, if he 
had a mind to it : — I am going down the bay,” said he, 
“and shall return hither in about a month, and if I find 
you upon the island when T come back, I’ll carry you to 
Jamaica, and there hang you.” “ How can I get away ?” 
answered Vane. “Are there not fishermen’s dories upon 
the beach ? Can’t you take one of them ?” replied Hol- 
ford. “ What !” said Vane, “ would you have me steal a 
dory then ?” “ Do you make it a matter of conscience,” 

replied Holford, “ to steal a dory, when you have been a 
common robber and pirate, stealing ships and cargoes, and. 
plundering all mankind that fell in your way ! Stay here 
if you are so squeamish ?” and he left him to consider oi 
the matter. 

After Captain Holford’s departure, another ship put into 
the same island’ in her way home, for water ; none of the 
company knowing Vane, he easily passed for another man, 
and so was shipped for the voyage. One would be apt to 
think that Vane was now pretty safe, and likely to escape 
the fate which his crimes had merited ; but here a cross ac- 
cident happened that ruined all. Holford returning from 
the bay, was met by this ship, and the captains being very 
well acquainted with each other, Holford was invited to 
dine aboard, which he did. As he passed along to the 
cabin, he chanced to cast his eye down into the hold, and 
there saw Charles Vane at work : he immediately spoke to 
the captain, saying, “ Do you know whom you have got 
aboard there ?” “ Why,” said he, “ I have shipped a man 

at such an island, who was cast away in a trading sloop, 
and he seems to be a brisk hand.” “ I tell you,” replied 
Captain* Hoi ford, “ it is Vane the notorious pirate.” If 
it be he,” cried the other, “ I won’t keep him.” “ Why 


VANE HUNG AT JAMAICA. 


331 


then,” said Holford, I’ll send and take him aboard, and 
surrender hiin at Jamaica.” This being agreed upon, 
Captain Holford, as soon as he returned to his ship, sent 
his boat with his mate, armed, who coming to Vane, showed 
him a pistol, and told him he was his prisoner. No man 
daring to make opposition, he \^as broiight aboard and put 
into irons ; and when Captain Holford arrived at Jamaica, 
he delivered up his old acquaintance to justice, at which 
place he was tried, convicted, and executed, as was some 
time before. Vane’s consort. Robert Deal, who was brought 
thither by one of the men-of-war. It is clear from this how 
little ancient friendship will avail a great villain, when he 
is deprived of tiie power that had before supported and 
rendered him formidable. 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES, 

Containing Accounts of their Atrocities^ Manners of Living, 
fyc.y with proceedings of the Squadron under Commo- 
dore Porter in those seas, the victory and death oj 
Lieutenant Allen, the interesting IS arraiive of O ytain 
Lincoln, Sfc. 



A Piratical Vessel, destroying a Merchant Ship. 


Those innumerable groups of islands, keys and sand- 
banks, known as the West-Tndies, are peculiarly adapted 
from Ineir locality and formation, to be a favorite resort for 
pirates ; many of them are composed of coral rocks, on which 
R few cocoa trees raise their lofty heads ; where there is 


SKETCH OF THE WEST INDIES. 


333 


sufficient earth for vegetation between the interstices of 
the rocks, stunted brush-wood grows. But a chief pecu- 
liarity of some of the islands, and which renders them suit- 
able to those wlio frequent them aspirates, are the numer- 
ous caves with which the rocks are perforated ; some of 
them are above high-water mark, but the majority with the 
sea water flowing in and out of them, in some cases mere- 
ly rushing in and at high-water filling deep pools,, which 
are detached from each other when the tide recedes, in 
others with a sufficient depth of water to allow a large 
boat to float in. It is hardly necessary to observe how 
convenient the higher and dry caves are as receptacles for 
articles which are intended to be concealed, until an op- 
portunity occurs to dispose of them. The Bahamas, them 
selves are a singular group of isles, reefs and quays ; con- 
sisting of several hundred in number, and were the chief 
resort of pirates in old times, but now they are all rooted 
from them; they are low and not elevated, and are more 
than 600 miles in extent, cut up into numerous intricate 
passages and channels, full of sunken rocks and coral reefs. 
They afforded -a sure retreat to desperadoes. Other 
islands are full of mountain fastnesses^ where all pursuit 
can be eluded. Many of the low shores are skirted, and the 
islands covered by the mangrove, a singular tree, shoot- 
ing fresh roots as it grows, which, when the tree is at 
Its full age, may be found six or eight feet from the ground, 
to which the shoots gradually tend in regular succession ; 
the leaf is very thick and stiff and about eight inches long 
and nine wide, the interval between the roots offer secure 
hiding places for those who are suddenly pursued. Anoth- 
er circumstance assists the pirate when pursued. — As the 
islan 's belong to several different nations, when pursued 
from one island he can pass to that under the jurisdiction 
of another power. And as permission must be got by 
those in pursuit of him, from the authorities of the island 
to land and take him, he thus gains time to secrete him- 
self. A tropical climate is suited to a roving life, and li- 
quor as well as dissolute women being in great abundance, 
to gratify him during his hours of relaxation, makes this a 
congenial region for the lawless. i 

The crews of pirate vessels in these seas are chiefly com- 


3^34 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES 


posed of Spaniards, Portuguese, French, Mulattoes, Ne- 
groes, and a lew natives of other countries. The island 
of Cuba is the great nest of pirates at the present day, and 
at the ttavana, [)iracy is as much tolerated as any other 
profession. As the piracies committed in these seas, during 
a single year, have amounted to more than fifty, we shall 
give only a few accounts of the most interesting. 

In November 18*21, the brig Cobbessecontee, Captain 
Jackson, sailed from Havana, on the morning of the 8th for 
Boston, and on the evening of the same day, about four 
miles i'rom the Moro, was brought to by a piratical sloop, con- 
taining about 30 men. A boat from her, with 10 men, 
came alongside, and soon after they got on board com- 
menced plundering. They took nearly all the clothing 
from the ca[)tain and mate — all the cooking utensils and 
spare rigging — unrove part of the running rigging — cut the 
small cable — broke the compasses — cut the mast’s coats 
to pieces — took from the captam his watch and four boxes 
cigars — and from the cargo three bales cochineal and six 
boxes cigars. They beat the mate unmercifully, and hung 
him up by the neck under the maintop. They also beat the 
captain severely — broke a large broad sword across his 
back, and ran a long knife through his thigh, so that he al- 
most bled to death. Captain Jackson saw the sloop at 
Regia the day before. ' 

Captain Jackson informs us, and we have also been in- 
formed by other persons from the Havana, that this sys- 
tem of piracy is openly countenanced by some of the in- 
habitants of that place — who say that it is a retaliation on 
the Americans for interfering against the Slave Trade. 

About this time the ship Liverpool Packet, Ricker, of 
Portsmouth, N. H., was boarded otf Cape St Antonio, 
Cuba, by two piratical schooners; two barges containing 
thirty or forty men, robbed the vessel of every thing mov- 
able, even to her flags, ligging, and a boat which hap- 
pened to be afloat, having a boy in it, v\hrch belonged 
to the ship. They held a consultation whether they 
should murder the crew, as they had done before, or not — 
in the mean time taking the ship into anchoring ground. 
On bringing her to anchor, the crew saw a brig close 
alongside, burnt to the water’s edge, and three dead bodies 


DEATH OF LIEUTENANT ALLEN. 


335 


floating near her. The pirates said they had burnt the 
brig the day before, and murd&red all the crewj — and in- 
tended ‘doing the same with them. They said “ look at 
the turtles, (meaning the dead bodies) you will soon be the 
same.” They said the vessel was a Baltimore brig, which 
they had robbed and burnt, and murdered the crew as be- 
fore stated, of which they had little doubt. Captain Rick- 
er was most shockingly bruised by them. The mate was 
hung#till he was supposed to be dead, but came to, and is 
now alive. They told the captain that they belonged in 
Regia, and should kill them all to prevent discovery. 

In 1822, the United States had several cruisers among 
the West-India islands, to keep the pirates in check, much 
good was done, but still many vessels were robbed and 
destroyed, together with their crews. This year the brave 
Lieutenant Allen fell by the hands of pirates ; he was in 
the United States schooner Alligator, and receiving intelli- 
gence at Matanzas, that several vessels which had sailed 
from that port, had been taken by the pirates, and were 
then in the bay of Lejuapo. He hastened to their assis- 
tance. He arrived just in time so save five sail of vessels 
which he found in possession of a gang of pirates, 300 
strong, established in the bay of Lejuapo, about 15 leagues 
east of this. He fell, pierced by two musket balls, in the 
van of a division of boats, attacking their principal vessel, a 
fine schooner of about eighty tons, with ^ long eighteen 
pounder on a pivot, and four smaller guns, with the bloody 
-flag nailed to the mast. Himself, Captain Freeman of Ma- 
rines, and twelve men, were in the boat, much in advance 
of his other boats, and even took possession of the schoon- 
er, after a desperate resistance, which nothing but a brave- 
ry almost too glaring could have overcome. The pirates, 
all but one, escaped by taking to their boats and jumping 
overboard, before the Alligator’s boat reached them. Two 
other schooners escaped by the use of their oars, the wind 
being light. 

Captain Allen survived about four hours, during which 
his conversation evinced a composure and firmness of mind, 
and correctness of feeling, as honorable to his character, 
and more consoling to his friends, than even the dauntless 
Dravery he before exhibited.” 


a36 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


The surgeon of the Alligator in a letter to a friend, 
says, “ He continued giving orders and conversing with 
Mr. Dale and the rest of us, until a few minutes before 
his death, with a degree of cheerfulness that was httle to 
be expected from a man in his condition. He said he 
wished his relatives and his country to know- that he h.ad 
fought well, and added that he died in peace and good will 
towards all the world, and hoped for his reward in the next.” 

Lieutenant Allen had but few equals in the service.* He 
was ardently devoted to the interest of his country, v^as 
brave, intelligent, and accomplished in his profsseion. He 
displayed, living and dying, a magnanimity that sheds lus- 
tre on his relatives, his friends, and his country. 

About this time Captain Lincoln fell into the hands of 
the pirates, and as his treatment shows the peculiar hab- 
its and practices of these wretches, we insert the very in- 
teresting narrative of the captain. 

The schooner Exertion, Captain Lincoln, sailed from 
Boston, bound for Trinidad de Cuba, Nov. 13th, 1821, vvitli 
the following crew ; Joshua Brackett, mate ; David War- 
ren, cook ; and Thomas Young, Francis De Suze, and 
George Reed, seamen. 

The cargo consisted of flour, beef, pork, lard, butter, fish, 
beans,' onions, potatoes, apples, hams, furniture, sugar box 
shocks, &c., invoiced at about eight thousand dollars. 
Nothing remarluible occurred during the passage, except 
much bad weather, until my capture, which was as follows: — • 

Monday, December 17th, 1821, commenced with fine 
breezes from the eastward. At daybreak saw some of the 
islands northward of Cape Cruz, called Keys — stood along 
north-west ; every thing now seemed favorable for a happy 
termination of our voyage. At 3 o’clock, P. M., saw a sail 
coming round one of the Keys, into a channel called Boca 
de Cavolone by the chart, nearly in latitude 20*^ 55^ north, 
longitude 79^ 55' w'est, she made directly for us with all 
sails set, sweeps on both sides (the wind being light) and 
was soon near enough for us to discover about forty men 
on her deck, armed with muskets, blunderbusses, cutlasses, 
long knives, dirks, 8zc., two carronades, one a twelve, the 
other a six pounder; she was a schooner, w- earing the 
Patriot flag, (blue, white and blue) of the Republic oi 


CAPTAIN LINCOLN TAKEN BY THE PIRATES. 331 

Mexico. I thought it not prudent to resist them, should 
they be pirates, with a crew of seven men, and only live 
muskets ; accordingly ordered the arms and ammunition 
to be immediately stowed away in as secret a place as pos- 
sible, and suffer her to speak us, hoping and believing that 
a republican flag indicated both honor and friendship from 
those who wore it, and which we might expe(;t even from 
Spaniards. But how great was my astonishment, when 
the schooner having approached very near us, hailed in 
English, and ordered me to heave my boat out immediately 
and come on board of her with my papers. — Accordingly 
my boat was hove out, but filled before I could get into 
her. — I was then ordered to tack ship and lay by for the 
pirates’ boat to board me ; which was done by Bolidar, 
their first lieutenant, with six or eight Spaniards armed with 
as many of the before mentioned weapons as they could 
well sling about their bodies. They drove me into the 
boat, and two of them rowed me to their privateer, (as 
they called their vessel), where I shook hands with their 
commander. Captain Jonnia, a Spaniard, who before look- 
ing at my papers, ordered Bolidar, his lieutenant, to follow 
the Mexican in, back of the KQy they had left, which was 
done. At 6 o’clock, P. M., the Exertion was anchored in 
eleven feet water, near this vessel, and an island, which 
they called Twelve League Key, (called by the chart Key 
Largo), about thirty or thirty-five leagues from Trinidad. 
After this strange conduct they began examining my papers 
by a Scotchman who went by the name of Nickola, their 
sailing master. — He spoke good English, had a counten- 
I ance rather pleasing, although his beard and mustachios 
I had a frightful appearance — his face, apparently full of 
anxiety, indicated something in my favor ; he gave me my 
papers, saying “ take good care of them, for I am afraid 
you have fallen into bad hands.” The pirates’ boat was 
then sent to the Exertion with more men and arms ; a part 
of them left on board her; the rest returning with three of 
my crew to their vessel ; viz. Thomas Young, Thomas 
Goodall, and George Reed — they treated them with some- 
thing to drink, and offered them equal shares with them- 
selves, and some money,, if they would enlist, but they 
could not prevail on them. I then requested permission to 
29 


338 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


go on board my vessel which was granted, and further re- 
quested Nickola should go with me, but was refused by-the 
captain, who vociferated in a harsh manner, “No, No, No,^' 
accompanied witli a heavy stamp unon the deck. Whenl 
got on board, I was invited below by Bolidar, where J 
found they had emptied the case of liquors, and broken 9 
cheese to pieces and crumbled it on the table and cabir 
floor ; the pirates, elated with their prize, (as they called 
it), had drank so much as to make therh desperately abu- 
sive. I was permitted to lie down in my berth ; but, reader 
if you have ever been awakened by a gang of armed des 
peradoes, who have taken possession of your habitation in 
the midnight hour, you can imagine my feelings. — Sleep 
was a stranger to me, and anxiety was my guest. Bolidar, 
however, pretended friendship, and flattered me with the 
prospect of being soon set at liberty. But I found him, as 
I suspected, a consummate hypocrite ; indeed, his very 
looks indicated it. He was a stout and well built man, of 
u dark, swarthy complexion, with keen, ferocious eyes, huge 
whiskers, and beard under his chin and on his lips, four or 
five inches long ; he was a Portuguese by birth, but had 
become a naturalized Frenchman — had a wife, if not chil- 
dren, (as I was told) in France, and was well known there 
as commander of a first rate privateer. His appearance 
was truly terrific ; he could talk some English, and had a 
most lion-like voice. 

Tuesday, 17th. — Early this morning the captain of the 
pirates came on board the E.xertion ; took a look at the 
cabin stores, and cargo in the state rooms, and then order- 
ed me back with him to his vessel, where he, with his crew, 
held a consultation for some time respecting the cargo. 
After which, the interpreter, Nickola, told me that “the 
captain had, or pretended to have, a commission under 
General Traspelascus, commander-in-chief of the republic 
of Mexico, authorizing him to take all cargoes whatever of 
provisions, bound to any royalist Spanish port — that my 
cargo being bound to an enemy’s port, must be condemned ; 
but that the vessel should be given up and be put into a 
fair channel for Trinidad, where I was bound.” I request- 
ed him to examine the papers thqroughly, and perhaps he 
would be convinced to the contrary, and told him my cargo 


THE PIRATES PLUNDER THE EXERTION. 


339 


was all American property taken in at Bo’ston, and con 
signed to an American gentleman, agent at Trinidad. But 
the captain would not take the trouble, but ordered both 
vessels under way immediately, and commenced beating 
up amongst the Keys through most oi the day, the wind 
being very light. They now sent their boats on board the 
Exertion for stores, and commenced plundering her of 
bread, butter, lard, onions, potatoes, fish, beans, &c., took 
up some sugar box shooks that were on deck, and found 
the barrels of apples ; selected the best of them and threw 
the rest overboard. They inquired for spirits, wine, cider, 
&,c. and were told “ they had already taken all that was 
□n board.” But not satisfied they proceeded to search the 
state rooms and forecastle, ripped up the floor of the latter 
and found some boxes of bottled cider, which they carried 
to their vessel, gave three cheers, in an exulting manner to 
me, and then began drinking it with such freedom, that a 
violent quarrel arose between officers and men, which came 
very near ending in bloodshed. I was accused of false- 
hood, for saying they had got all the liquors that were on 
board, and I thought they had ; the truth was, I never had 
any bill of lading of the cider, and consequently had no 
recollection of its being on board ; yet it served them as 
; an excuse for being insolent. In the evening peace was 
i restored and they sung songs. I was suffered to go below 
i for the night, and they placed a guard over me, stationed 
I at the companion way. 

Wednesday, 19th, commenced with moderate easterly 
winds, beating towards the north-east, the pirate s boats 
frequently going on board jthe Exertion for potatoes, fish, 
beans, butter, &c. w hich were used wdth great waste and 
extravagance. They gave me food and drink, but of bad 
quality, more particularly the victuals, which was wretched- 
ly cooked. The place assigned me to eat was covered 
with dirt and vermin. It appeared that their great object 
was to hurt my feelings with threats and observations, and 
to make my situation as unpleasant as circumstances w6uld 
admit. We came to anchor near a Key, called by them 
Brigantine, where myself and mate were permitted to go on 
shore, but were guarded by several armed pirates. 1 soon 
returned to the Mexican and my mate to the Exertion, with 


340 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES 


George Reed, one of my crew; the other two being kept 
on board the Mexican. In the course of this day I had 
considerable conversation with Nickola, who appeared well 
disposed towards me. lie lamented most deeply his own 
situation, for he was one of those men, whose early good 
impressions were not entirely effaced, although confederated 
with guilt. He told me “ those who had taken me were 
no better than pirates, and their end would be the halter ; 
but,” he added, with peculiar emotion, “ I wdl never be 
hung as a pirate,” showing me a bottle of laudanum which 
he had found in my medicine chest, saying, If we are 
taken, that shall cheat the hangman, before we are con- 
demned.” I endeavored to get it from him, but did not 
succeed. I then asked him how he came to be in such 
company, as he appeared to be dissatisfied. He stated, 
“ that he was at New Orleans last summer, out of employ- 
ment, and became acquainted with one Captain August 
Orgamar, a Frenchman, who had bought a small schooner 
of about fifteen tons, and was going down to the bay of 
Mexico to get a commission un^er General Traspelascus, 
in order to go a privateering under die patriot flag. Capt. 
Orgamar made him liberal offers respecting shares, and pro- 
mised him a sailing master’s berth, which he accepted and 
embarked on board the schooner, without sufficiently re- 
flecting on the danger of such an undertaking. Soon after 
she sailed from Mexico, where they got a commission, and 
the vessel was called Mexican. They made up a comple- 
ment of twenty men, and after rendering the general some 
little service, in transporting his troops to a place called 

proceeded on a cruise ; took some small prizes 

off Campeachy ; afterwards came on the south coast of 
Cuba, where they took other small prizes, and the one 
which we were now on board of. By this time the crew 
were increased to about forty, nearly one half Spaniards, 
the others Frei'*ihnien and Portuguese. Several of them 
bad sailed out ot ports in the United States with American 
protections ; but, I confidently believe, none are natives, 
especially of the northern states. I was careful in ex- 
amining the men, being desirous of knowing if any of hiy 
countrymen were among this WTetched crew ; but am satis- 
fied there were none, and my Scotch friend concurred in 


NICKOLA^S NARRATIVE. 


341 


the opinion. And now, with a new vessel, which was the 
prize of these plunderers, they sailed up Manganeil bay ; 
previously, however, they fell in with an American schooner, 
from which they bought four barrels of beef, and paid in 
tobacco. At the Bay was an English brig belonging to 
Jamaica, owned by Mr. John Louden of that place. On 
board of this vessel the Spanish part of the crew com- 
menced their dejiredations as pirates, although Captain 
Orgamar and Nickola protested against it, and refused any 
participation ; but they persisted, and like so many fero- 
cious blood hounds, boarded the l)rig, plundered the cabin, 
stores, furniture, captain’s trunk, &c., took a hogshead of 
rum, one twelve pound carronade, some rigging and sails. 
One of them plundered the chest of a sailor, who made 
some resistance, so that the Sfianiard took his cutlass, and 
beat and wounded him without mercy. Nickola asked him 
“ why he did it.^” the fellow answered, ‘‘I will let you 
know,” and took up the cook’s axe and gave him a cut on 
the head, which nearly deprived him of life. Then they 
ordered Captain Orgamar to leave his vessel, allowing him 
his trunk and turned him ashore, to seek for himself. 
Nickola begged them to dismiss him with his captain, but 
no, no, was the answer ; for they had no complete naviga- 
tor but him. After Captain Orgamar was gone, they put 
in his stead the present brave (or as I should call him 
cowardly) Captain Jonnia, who headed them in plundering 
the before mentioned- brig, and made Bolidar their first 
lieutenant, "and then proceeded down among those Keys or 
Islands, where I was captured. This is the amount of 
what my friend Nickola told me of their history. 

Saturday, 22d. — Both vessels under way standing to the 
eastward, they ran the Exertion aground on a barj but after 
throwing overboard most of her deck load of shooks, she 
floated off ; a pilot was sent to her, and she was run into a 
narrow creek between two keys, where tlvey moored her 
head and stern along side of the mangrove trees, set down 
her yards and topmasts, and covered her mast heads and 
shrouds with bushes to prevent her being seen by vessels 
which might passlliat way. I was then suffered to go oa 
board my own vessel, and found her in a very filthy con- 
dition ; sails torn, rigging cut to pieces, and every thing in 


842 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


the cabin in waste and confusion. The swarms of mos- 
chetoes and sand-flies made it impossible to get any sleep 
or rest. The j>irate’s large boat was armed and manned 
u-nder Bolidar, and sent off with letters to a merchant (as 
• they called him) by the name of Dominico, residing in a 
town called Princ pe, on the main island of Cuba. I was 
told by one of them, who could speak' English, that Princi- 
pe was a very large and populous town, situated at the 
head of St« Maria, which was about twenty miles north- 
east from where we lay, and the Keys lying around us were 
called Cotton Keys. — I'he captain pressed into his service 
Francis de Suze, one of my crew, saying that he was one 
of his countrymen. Francis was very reluctant in going, 
and said to me, with tears in his eyes, “ I shall do nothing 
but what I am obliged to do, and will not aid in tlie least 
to hurt you or the vessel ; I am very sorry to leaver you.” 
He was immediately put on duty and Thomas Goodsall 
sent back to the Exertion. 

Sunday, 23d. — Early this morning a large number of the 
pirates came on board of the Exertion, threw out the long 
boat, broke open the hatches, and took out considera!)le of 
the cargo, in search of rum, gin, &-c., still telling me “ I 
had some and they would find it,” uttering the most awful 
profaneness. In the afternoon their boat returned with a 
perough, having on board the captain, his first lieutenant 
and sev6n men of a patriot or piratical vessel that was 
chased ashore at Cape Cruz by a Spanish armed brig. 
These seven men made their escape in said boat, and after 
four days, found our pirates and joined them ; the remainder 
of the crew being killed or taken prisoners. 

Monday, 24th. — Their boat was manned and sent to the 
before-mentioned town. — I was informed by a line from 
Nickola, that the pirates had a man on board, a native of 
Principe, who, in the garb of a sailor, w^as a partner with 
Dominico, but I could not get sight of him. This lets us a 
little into the plans by which this atrocious system of piracy 
has been carried on. Merchants having partners on board 
of these pirates ! thus pirates at sea and robbers on land 
are associated to destroy the peaceful trader. The wil- 
lingness exhibited by the seven above-mentioned men, to 
join our gang of pirates, seems to look like a general un 


NO SUNDAY OFF SOUNDINGS. 


343 


derstanding among them ; and from there being merchants 
on shore so base as to encourage the plunder and vend the 
goods, I am persuaded there has been a systematic con- 
federacy on the part of these unprincipled desperadoes, 
under cover of the patriot flag; and those on land are no 
better than those on the sea. If the governments to whom 
they belong know of the atrocities committed (and I have 
but little doubt they do) they deserve the execration of all 
mankind. 

Thursday, 27th. — A gang of the pirates came and stripped 
our masts of the green bushes, saying, ‘‘she appeared more 
like a sail than trees’’ — took one barrel of bread and one 
of potatoes, using about one of each every day. I under- 
stood they were waiting for boats to take the cargo ; for 
the principal merchant had gone to Trinidad. 

Sunday, 30th. — The beginning of trouble ! This day, 
which peculiarly reminds Christians of the high duties of 
compassion and benevolence, was never observed by these 
pirates. This, of course, we might expect, as they did not 
often know when the day came, and if they knew it, it was 
spent in gambling. The old saying among seamen, “ no 
Sunday off soundings,” was not thought of; and even this 
poor plea was not theirs, for they were on soundings and 
often at anchor. — Early this morning, the merchant, as they 
called him, came with a large boat for the cargo. I was 
immediately ordered into the boat with my crew, not al- 
lowed any breakfast, and carried about three miles to a 
small island out of sight of the Exertion, and left there by 
the side of a little pond of thick, muddy water, which 
proved to be very brackish, with nothing to eat but a few 
biscuits. One of the boat’s men told us the merchant was 
afraid of being recognised, and when he had gone the boat 
would return for us ; but we had great reasoD to appre- 
hend they would deceive us, and therefore passed the day 
in the utmost anxiety. At night, however, the boats came 
and took us' again on board the Exertion ; when, to our 
surprise and astonishment, we found they'had broken open 
the trunks and chests, and taken all our wearing apparel, 
not even leaving a shirt or pair of pantaloons, nor sparing 
a small miniature of my wife w^hich was in my trunk. The 
little money I and my mate had, with some belonging to 


344 


THE WEST INDIA PIBATES. 


tlie owners, my male had previously distributed about tbs 
cabin in three or four parcels, while 1 was on board the 
pirate, lor we dare not keep it about us ; one parcel in a 
butter |)ot ihey did not discover. — Ainid>t the hurry with 
w hich I was obliged to go to the before-mentioned island, 
1 fortunately snatched my vessefs papers, and hid tliem in 
my bo.‘'Om, which the reader w ill find was a happy circum- 
stance for me. My writing desk, with pa|K rs, accf)Uiits, 
(fcc., all Mr. Loni’s letters (the gentleman to whom my 
cargo was c«)n8igned) and several others were taken and 
maliciously destroyed. My medicine che>t, which 1 so 
fliuch wanted, was kept for their own use. hat their 
motive could be to take my pa|)€rs I could not imagine, 
except they had hopes of linding bills of lading for some 
Spaniards, to clear them from piracy. Mr. Brat ket had 
some notes and papers of consequence to him, which shared 
the same fate. My quadrant, charts, books and Ix^dding 
were not yet taken, but I found it impossible to hide them, 
and tliey were srjon gone from my sight. 

Tuesday, January 1st, l8‘2-2 — A sail new-year’s day to 
me. Before breakfast orders came for me to cut (h)W n the 
Exertion's railing and bulwarks on one side, for ih< ir ves-;el 
to heave out by, and clean her bottom. On my hesitating 
a litile they ©Served witli anger, “ very well, captain, 
suppose you i)o do it quick, we do it for you.” Directly 
afterwards another boat full of anned men came along 
side ; they jumped on deck wdlh swords drawn, and order- 
ed all of us into her immediately ; 1 stepped below, in 
hopes of getting something which would be of service to 
us ; but the captain hallooed, ** Go into the boal directly 
or I w'ill fire upon you.” Thus compelled to obey, we w ere 
carried, together with four Spanish prisoners, to a small, 
low’ island or key of sand in the shape of a half moon, and 
partly covered w ith mangrove trees ; w hich was about one 
mile from and in sight of my vessel. There they left nine 
of us, with a little bread, flour, fish, lard, a little coffee and 
molasses ; two or three kegs of w’ater, which was brackish ; 
an old sail for a covering, and a pot and some other arti- 
cles no w’ay fit to cook in. Leaving us these, which w'ere 
much less than they appear in the enumeration, they 
pushed off*, saying, “ we will come to see you in a day ox 


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FORLORN SITUATION OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 347 

two.” Selecting the best place, we spiead the old sail foi 
an awning; but no place was free from flies, moschetoes, 
snakes, the venomous skinned scorpion, and the more ve- 
nomous santipee. Sometimes they were found crawling 
inside of our pantaloons, but fortunately no injury was re- 
ceived. This afternoon the pirates hove- their vessel out 
by the Exertion and cleaned one side, using her paints, oil, 
&.C. for that purpose. To see my vessel m that situation 
and to think of our prospects was a source of the deepest 
distress. At night we retired to our tent; but having 
nothing but the cold damp ground for a bed, and the heavy 
dew of night penetrating tiie old canvass — the situation of 
the island being fifty miles from the usual track of friendly 
vessels, and one hundred and thirty-five from Trinidad — 
seeing my owner’s property so unjustly and wantonly de- 
stroyed — considering my condition, the hands at whose 
mercy 1 was, and deprived of ail hopes, rendered sleep or 
rest a stranger to me. 

Friday, 4th. — Commenced with light winds and hot sun, 
saw a boat coming from the Exertion, apparently loaded * 
she passed betw^een tw'o small Keys to northward, supposed 
to be bound for Cuba. At sunset a boat came and inquired 
if we wanted anything, but instead of adding to our pro- 
visions, took away our molasses, and pushed off. We 
found one of the Exertion’s water casks, and several pieces 
of plank, which we carefully laid up, in hopes of getting 
en(»ugh to make a raft. 

Saturday, btli. — Pirates again in sight, coming from the 
eastward; they beat up along side tlieir prize, and com- 
menced loading. In the afternoon Nickola came to us, 
bringing with him two more prisoners, which they had 
taken in a small sail boat coming from Trinidad to Manga- 
neil, one a Frenchman, the other a Scotchman, w'ith two 
Spaniards, who remained on board the pirate, and who af- 
terw^ards joined them. The back of one of these poor fel- 
lows was extremely sore, having just suffered a cruel beat- 
ing from Bolidar, with the broad side of a cutlass. It 
appeared, that when the officer asked him where their 
money was, and how^ much,” he answered, “he was not 
certain but believed they had only two ounces of gold” — 
Bolidar furiously swore he said “ ten,” and not finding any 


3i9 


THE WEST INDI> PIRATES. 


more, gave him tlie heating. Nickola now related to me a 
singular fact; which was, that the Spanish part of the crew 
were determined to shoot him ; tliat they tied him to llie 
mast, and a man was appointed for the purpose ; but Lion, 
a Frenchman, his particular friend, stepped up and told 
them, if tney shot him they must shoot several more : some 
of tlie Spaniards sided with him, and he was released. 
Nickola told me, the reason for such treatment was, that 
ne continually objected to their conduct towards me, and 
their opinion if he should esca[)e, they w’ould be discover- 
ed, as he declared he would take no prize money. While 
with us lie gave me a litter written in great haste, which 
contains some particulars respecting Uie cargo ; — as fol- 
lows : — 

January Ath, 1822. 

Sir, — We arrived here this morning, and before w e came 
to anchor, had five canoes alongside ready to take youi 
cargo, part of which we had in ; and as I heard you express 
a wish to know what they took out of her, to this moment, 
you may depend upon this account of Jamieson for quality 
and quantity ; if I have the same opportunity you will 
have an account of the whole. The villain who bought 
your cargo is from the tow'n of Principe, his name is Domi- 
nico, as to that it is all that I can learn ; they have taken 
your charts aboard the schooner Mexican, and I suppose 
mean to keep them, as the other captain has agreed to act 
the same infamous part in the tragedy of his life. Your 
clothes are here on board, but do not let me Hatter you that 
you will get them back ; it may be so, and it may not. Per- 
haps in your old age, when you recline with ease in a cor- 
ner of your cottage, you will have the goodness to drop a 
tear of pleasure to the memory of him, whose highest am- 
bition should have been to subscribe himself, though de- 
voted to the gallows, your friend. 

Excuse haste. Nickola Monacre. 

P. S. Your answer in w riting when I come again. 

Sunday, 6th. — The pirates were under w'ay at sunrise, 
with a full load of the Exertion’s cargo, going to Principe 
again to sell a second freight, which was done readily for 
cash. I afterwards heard that the flour only fetched five 


PIRATES CONTINUE TO PLUNDER THE EXERTION. 349 

dollars per barrel, when it was worth at Trinidad thirteen; 
so tliat the villain vho bought my cargo at Principe, made 
very large profits by it. 

Tuesday, 8th. — Early this morning the pirates in sight 
again, with fore top sail and top gallant sail set; beat up 
along side of the Exertion and commenced loading ; having, 
as I supposed, sold and discharged her last freight among 
some of the inhabitants of Cuba. They appeared to load 
in great haste ; and the song, “ O he oh,” which echoed 
from one vessel to the other, was distinctly heard by us. 
How wounding was this to me ! How different was this 
sound from what it would have been, had I been permitted 
to pass unmolested by these lawless plunderers, and been 
favored with a safe arrival at the port of my destination, 
where my cargo w'ould have found an excellent sale. Then 
would the “ O he oh,” on its discharging, have been a de- 
lightful sound to me? In the afternoon she sailed with the 
perough in tow, both with a full load, having chairs, which 
was part of the cargo, slung at her quarters. 

Monday, 14th. — They again hove in sight, and beat up 
as usual, along-side their prize. While passing our solita- 
ry island, they laughed at our misery, w^hich was almost 
insupportable — looking upon us as though we had commit- 
ted some heinous crime, and they had not sufficiently pun- 
ished us ; they hallooed to us, crying out ‘‘ Captain, 
Captain,” accompanied with obscene motions and words, 
with which I shall not bla( ken these pages — yet I heard 
no check upon such conduct, nor could I expect it among 
such a gang, who have no idea of subordination on board, 
except when in chase of vessels, and even then but very 
little. My resentment was excited at such a malicious 
outrage,, and I felt a disposition to revenge myself, should 
fortune ever favor me with an opportunity. It was beyond 
human nature not to feel and express some indignation at 
such treatment. — Soon after, Bolidar, with five men, well 
armed, came to us; he having a blunderbuss, cutlass, a 
long knife and pair of pistols — but for what purpose did 
he come? He took me by the hand, saying, “Captain, 
me speak with you, walk this way.” I obeyed, and when 
at some distance from my fellow prisoners, (his men ^fol- 
lowing) he said, “ the captain send me for your wa$h,^^ I 


350 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


pretended not to und^''«Jtand what he n eant, and replied, 
“ i have no clothes, noi any soap t.o wa ^h with — you have 
taken them all,” -(<jr 1 had kept my watch about me, hop- 
ing they would not discover it. He demanded it again as 
before ; and was answered, “ I have nothing to wash 
this raised his anger, and lifting his blunderbuss, he roared 
out, “ what the d — 1 you call him that make'clock ? give 
it me.*’ I considered it imprudent to contend any longer, 
and submitted to his unlawful demand. As he was going 
ort‘, he gave me a small bundle, in which was a pair of 
linen drawers, sent to me by Nickola, and also tlie Rev. 
Mr. Brooks’ “Family Prayer Book,” This gave me great 
satisfaction. Soon after, he returned with his captain, 
wdio had one arm slung up, yet with as many implements 
of war, as his diminutive wicked self could conveniently 
carry ; he told me (through an interpreter who was his 
prisoner,) “that on his cruize he hatl fallen in with two 
Spanish privateers, and beat them off*; but had three of 
his men killed, and himself wounded in the arm” — Bolidar 
turned to me and said, “ it is a d — n lie” — w hich words 
proved to be correct, for his arm was not wounded, and 
when I saw him again, which was soon afterwards, he had 
forgotten to sling it up. He further told me, “after to-mor- 
row you shall go w ith your vessel, and we will accompany 
you towards Trinidad.” This gave me some new hopes, 
and why I could not tell. They then left us without ren- 
dering any assistance. — This n'ght we got some rest. 

Tuesday, 15th. The w'ords “go after tomorrow,” were 
used among our Spanish fellow prisoners, as though that 
happy tomorrow would never come — in what manner it 
came will soon be noticed. 

Friday, 18th commenced with brighter prospects of lib- 
erty than ever. The pirates were employed in setting up 
our devoted schooner’s shrouds, stays, &,c. My condition 
now reminded me of the hungry man, chained in one cor- 
ner of a room, while at another part was a table loaded 
with delicious food and fruits, the smell and sight of which 
he was continually to experience, but, alas ! his chains 
were never to be loosed that he might go and partake — at 
almost the same moment they w'ere thus employed, the axe 
was applied with the greatest dexterity to both her masts 


THE PIRATES MAKE SAIL. 


351 


i> [ saw them fall over the side ! Here fell my hopes — ■ 
1 i€y.Jced at my condition, and then thought of home. — Our 
^pauish fellow prisoners were so disappointed and alarmed 
that nhey recommended hiding ourselves, if possible, among 
the n.dngrove trees, believing, as they said, we should now 
certaii.ly be put to death ; or, what was worse, compelled 
to ser\^* on board the Mexican as pirates. Little else it ia 
true, sojimed left for us ; however, we kept a bright ’look 
out for 'hem during the day, and at night “ an anchor 
watch” ws we called it, determined if we discovered their 
boats condng towards us, to adopt the plan of hiding, al* 
though sta/vation stared us in the face — yet preferred that 
to instant death. This night was passed in sufficient 
anxiety — I ^ook the first watch. 

Saturday, /9th. — The pirate’s largest boat came for us — ■ 
it being day hght, and supposing they could see us, deter- 
mined to starMl our ground and wait the result. They 
ordered us all into the boat, but left every thing else ; they 
rowed towarda' the Exertion — I noticed a dejection of spir- 
its in one of the pirates, and inquired of him w here they 
w'ere going to carry us? He shook his head and replied, 
“I do- not know.” 1 now had some hopes of visiting my 
vessel again — but ifie pirates rnade sail, ran down, took us 
in tow and stood out of the harbor. Bolidar afterwards 
took me, my mate and tw^o of my men on board and gave 
us some coffee. On examination I found they had several 
additional light sails, mad^ of the Exertion’s. Almost 
every man, a pair of canvass trousers; and my colors cut 
up and made into belts to carry their money about them. 
My jolly boat was on deck, and I was informed, all my 
rigging w^as disposed of.* Several of the pirates had on 
some of my clothes, and the captain one of my best shirts, 
a^deaner one, than I had ever seen him have on before. — 
He kept at a good distance from me, and forbid my friend 
Nickola’s speaking to me. — I saw from the companion way 
in the captain’s cabin my quadrant, spy glass and other 
things which belonged to us, and observed by the compass, 
that'\he course steered was about west by south, — distance 
nearly twenty miles, which brought them up wdth a cluster 
of islands called by some “ Cayman Keys:” Here they 
anchored and caught some fish, (one of which was named 


35^2 


THE WEST INDIA PIIIATE*. 


piard fish) of wliich vve lia<l a taste. I observed that my 
friend Mr. Bracket was soriiewlial deject< d, and asked him 
in a low vo.ce, what Ids op neui was with respect to our 
fate? He answered, “ I cannot tell you, but it appears to 
me the w'orst is to come.’^ I told Idm that 1 hoped not, 
but thought they would give us our small boat and liberate 
the prisoners. But mercy ev< n in this shape was not left 
for us. Soon after, .'*aw the ca[)tain and officers whis[)eiing 
for some time in private coiderence. hen over, the:r 
boat was manned under the < ommand of Boli 'ar, and went 
to one of those Islands or Keys belbre mentioned. On their 
return, another conference took place — whether it was a 
jury upon our lives w'e could pf)t tell. I did not think 
conscience could be entirely extinguished in the human 
breast, or that men could l>ecome fiends. In the afternoon, 
while we knew not ihti doom which had been fixed for us, 
the captain was engaged with several of his*men in gamb- 
ling, in hopes to get back some of the five hundred dollars, 
they said, he lost but a few nights before; which had made 
him unusually fract ous. A litile before sunset he ordered 
all the prisoners into (he large boat, with a supply of pro- 
visions and water, and to be juit on shore. M hde we w’ere 
getting into her, one of my fellow prisoners, a Spaniard, 
attempted w'ith tears in his eyes to speak to the captain, 
but was refused, with the answer — “ I’ll hav£ nothing to 
say to any prisoner, go into the boat.’* In the mean time 
Nickola said to me, “ My friend, I will give you your book,” 
(being Mr. Coiman’s Sermons,) “ it is the only thing of 
yours that is in my possession ; I dare not attempt any thing 
more.” But the captain forbid his giving it to me, and I 
stepped into the boat — at that moment Nickola said in a 
low voice, ‘‘ never mind, I may* see you again before I die.” 
The small boat was well armed and manned, and both set 
offi together for the island, where they had agreed to leave 
us ^o perish! The scene to us was a funereal scene. There 
were no arms in the prisoners boat, and, of course, all 
attempts to relieve ourselves would have been throwing our 
lives away, as Bolidar was near us, well armed. We w^ere 
rowed about tw^o miles noith-easterly from the pirates, to a 
small low island, lonely and desolate. We arrived about 
sunset ; and for the support of us eleven prisoners, they 


PRISONERS PUT ON A DESOLATE SHORE. 


3 


only left a ten gallon keg of water, and perhaps a few 
quarts, in another small vessel, which was very poor; part 
of a barrel of Hour, a small keg of lard, one ham and some 
salt fish ; a small kettle and an old broken pot ; an old sail 
for a covering, and a small mattrass and blanket, which was 
thrown out as the boats hastened away. One of the pris- 
oners happened to have a little coffee in his pocket, and 
these comprehended all our means of sustaining life, and 
for what length of time we knew not. We now felt the 
need of water, and our supply was comparatively nothing. 
A man may live nearly twice as long without food, as 
without water. Look at us now, my friends, left benighted 
on a little spot of sand in the midst of the ocean, far from 
the usual track of vessel's, and every appearance of a vio- 
lent thunder tempest, and a boisterous night. Judge of my 
feelings and the circumstances which our band of sufferers 
now witnessed. Perhaps you can and have pitied us. I 
assure you, we were very wretched ; and to paint the 
scene, is not within my power. When the boats were 
moving from the shore, on recovering myself a little, I 
asked Bolidar, “ If he was going to leave us so?” — he 
answered, “ no, only two days — we go for water and wood, 
then come back, take you.” I requested him to give us 
bread and other stores, for they had plenty in the boat, and 
at least one hundred barrels of flour in the Mexican. 
“ No, no, suppose to-morrow morning me come, me give 
you bread,” and hurried off to the vessel. This was the 
last time I saw him. We then turned our attention upon 
finding a spot most convenient for our comfort, and soon 
discovered a little roof supported by stakes driven into the 
sand ; it was thatched with leaves of the cocoa-nut tree, 
considerable part of which was torn or blown off. After 
spreading the old sail over this roof, we placed our little 
stock of provisions under it. Soon after came on a heavy 
shower of rain which penetrated the canvass, and made it 
nearly as uncomfortable inside, as it would have been out. 
We were not prepared to catch water, having nothing to 
put it in. Our next object was to get fire, and after 
gathering some of the driest fuel to be found, and having 
a small piece of cotton wick-yarn, with flint and steel, we 
kindled a fire, which was never afterwards suffered to be 
30 * 


354 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


extinguished. The night was very dark, but we found a 
piece of old rope, which when well lighted served for a 
candle. On examining the ground under the roof, we 
found perhaps thousands of creeping insects, scorpions, 
lizards, crickets, &<c. After scraping them out as well as 
we could, the most of us having nothing but the damp 
earth for a bed, laid ourselves down in hopes of some rest; 
but it being so wet, gave many of us severe colds, and one 
of the Spaniards was quite sick for several days. 

Sunday, 20th. — As soon as day-light came on, we pro- 
ceeded to take a view of our little island, and found it to 
measure only one acre, of coarse, white sand ; about two 
feet, and in some spots perhaps three feet above the surface 
of the ocean. On the highest part were growing some 
bushes and small mangroves, (the dry part of which was 
our fuel) and the wild caster oil beans. We were greatly 
disappointed in not finding the latter suitable food ; likewi^e 
some of the prickly pear bushes, which gave us only a few 
pears about the size of our small button pear ; the outside 
has thorns, which if applied to the fingers or lips, will 
remain there, and cause a severe smarting similar to the 
nettle; the inside a spungy substance, full of juice and 
seeds, which are red and a little tartish — had they been 
there in abundance, we should not have suffered so much 
for water — but alas ! even this substitute was not for us. 
On the northerly side of the island was a hollow, where 
the tide penetrated the sand, leaving stagnant water. We 
presumed, in hurricanes the island was nearly overflowed. 
According to the best calculations I could make, we were 
.about thirty-five miles from any part of Cuba, one hundred 
from Trinidad and forty from the usual track of American 
vessels, or otliers which might pass that w\ay. No vessel 
of any considerable size, can safely pass among these Keys 
or “ Queen’s Gardens,” as the Spaniards call them) being 
a large number extending from Cape Cruz to Trinidad, one 
hundred and fifty miles distance ; and many more than the 
charts have laid down, most of them very low and some 
covered at high water, which makes it very dangerous for 
navigators without a skilful pilot. After taking this view 
of our condition, which was very gloomy, we began to 
suspect we were left on this desolate island by those mer- 


DISTRESSINCi SITUATION OF THE PRISONERS. 355 


ciless plunderers to perish. Of this I am now fully con- 
vinced ; still we looked anxiously for the pirate’s boat to 
come according to promise with more water and provisions, 
but looked in vain. We saw them soon after get under 
way with all sail set and run directly from us until out of 
our sight, and we never saw them again! One mayj^artially 
imagine our feelings, but they cannot be put into words. 
Before they were entirely out of sight of us, we raised the 
v\hite blanket upon a pole, waving it in the air, in hopes, 
that at two miles distance they .would see it and be moved 
to pity. But pity in such monsters was not to be found. 
It was not their interest to save us from the lingering deatii, 
which we now saw before us. We tried to compose our- 
selves, trusting that God, who had witnessed our suflerings, 
would yet make use of some one, as the instrument of his 
mercy towards us. Our next care, now, was to try for 
water. We dug several holes in the sand and found it-, 
but quite too salt for use. The tide penetrates probably 
through the island. We now came on short allowance for 
water. Having no means of securing what we had by lock 
and key, some one in the night would slyly drink, and it 
was soon gone. The next was to bake some bread, 
which we did by mixing flour with salt water and frying it 
in lard, allowing ourselves eight quite small pancakes to 
begin with. The ham was reserved for some more import- 
ant occasion, and the salt fish was lost for want of fresh 
water. The remainder of this day was passed in the most 
serious conversation and reflection. At night, I read prayers 
from the ‘‘ Prayer Book,” before mentioned, which I most 
carefully concealed while last on board the pirates. This 
plan was pursued morning and evening, during our stay 
there. Then retired, for rest and sleep, but realized little 
of either. , 

Monday, 21st. — In the morning we walked round the 
oeach, in expectation of finding something useful. On 
our way picked up a paddle about three feet long, very 
similar to the Indian canoe paddle, except the handle, 
which was like that of a shovel, the top part being split 
off; we laid it by for the present. We likewise found 
some konchs and roasted them; they were a, pretty good 
shell fish, though rather tough. We discovered at low 


356 


THE WEST INDIA PIRAWS. 


water, a bar or spit of sand extending north-easterly froAi 
us^ about three miles distant, to a cluster of Keys, which 
were covered with mangrove trees, jjerhaps as high as our 
quince tree. My friend Mr. Bracket and George attempted 
to wade across, being at that time of tide only up to their 
armpits >J[>ut were pursued by a shark, and returned without 
success. "I'he tide rises about four feet. 

Tuesday, 22d. — We found several pieces of the palmetto 
or cabbage tree, and some pieces of boards, put them 
together in the form of a raft, and endeavored to cross, but 
that proved ineHTectual. Being disappointed, we set down 
to reflect upon other means of relief, intending to do all in 
our power for safety while our strength continued. While 
setting here, the sun was so powerful and oppressive, 
reflecting its rays upon the sea, which was then calm, and 
the white sand which dazzled the eye, was so painful, that 
we retired under the awning; there the moschetoes and 
flies were so numerous, that good rest could not be found 
We were, however, a little cheered, when, in scraping out 
the top of the ground to clear out, I may say, thousands ol 
crickets and bugs, we found a hatchet, which was to us 
peculiarly serviceable. At night the strong north-easterly 
wind, which prevails there at all seasons, was so cold as to 
make it equally uncomfortable with the day. Thus day 
after day, our sufferings and apprehensions multiplying, we 
were very generally alarmed. 

Thursday, 24th. — This morning, after taking a little 
coffee, made of the water which we thought least salt, and 
two or three of the little cakes, we felt somewhat refreshed, 
and concluded to make another visit to those Keys, in 
hopes of finding something more, which might make a raft 
for us to escape the pirates, and avoid perishing by thirst. 
Accordingly seven of us set off, waded across the bar and 
searched all the Keys thereabouts. On one we found a 
number of sugar-box shooks, two lashing plank and some 
pieces of old spars, which were a part of the Exertion’s 
deck load, that was thrown overboard when she grounded 
on the bar, spoken of in the first part of the narrative. It 
seems they had drifted fifteen miles, and had accidentally 
lodged on these very Keys within our reach. Had the 
pirates known this, they would undoubtedly have placed us 


SUFFERINGS> OF ELEVEN PERSONS. 357 

in another direction. They no doubt thought that they 
could not place us on a worse place. The wind at this 
time was blowing so strong on shore, as to prevent rafting 
our stutf round to our island, and we were obliged to haul 
it upon the beach for tlie present; then dug for water in 
the highest place, but found it as salt as ever, and then 
returned to our habitation. But hunger and thirst began to 
prey upon us, and our comforts were as few. as our hopes. 

Friday, 25th. — Again passed over to those Keys to wind- 
ward in order to raft our stuff to our island, it being most 
convenient for building. But the surf on the beach was 
so very rough, that we were again compelled to postpone it. 
Our courage, however, did not fail where there was the 
slightest hopes of life. Returning without it, we found on 
our way an old top timber of some vessel ; it had several 
spikes in it, which we afterwards found very serviceable. 
In the hollow of an old tree, we found twoguarnasof small 
size, one male, the other female. Only one was caught. 
After taking off the skin, we -judged it weighed a pound 
and a half. With some flour and lard, (the only things 
we had except salt w'ater,) it made us a fine little mess. 
We thought it a rare dish, though a small one for eleven 
half starved persons. At the same time a small vessel 
hove in sight ; we made a signal to her with the blanket 
tied to a pole and placed it on the highest tree — some took 
off their white clothes and waved them in the air, hoping 
they would come to us; should they be pirates, they could 
do no more than kill us, and perhaps would give us some 
water, for which we began to suffer most excessively ; but, 
notwithstanding all our. efforts, she took no notice of us. 

Saturday, 26th. — This day commenced with moderate 
weather and smooth sea ; at low tide found some cockles ; 
boiled and eat them, but they were very painful to the 
stomach. David Warren had a fit of strangling, with 
swelling of the bowels ; but soon recovered, and said, 
something like salt rose in his throat and choked him.’’ 
Most of us then set off for the Keys, where the plank and 
shooks were put together in a , raft, which we with pieces of 
boards paddled over to our island ; when we consulted the 
best plan, either to build a raft large enough for us all to 
go on, or a boat ; but the shooks having three or four nails 


358 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


in each, and }>aving a piece of large reed or bamboo, pre- 
viously found, of which we made pins, we concluded to 
make a boat. 

Sunday, 27th — Commenced our labor, for which I know 
we need ofler no apology. We took the two planks, 
which were about fourten feet long, and two and a half 
wide, and fixed them together for the bottom of the boat; 
then with moulds made of palmetto bark, cut timber and 
knees from mangrove trees which apread so mueh as to 
make the boat four feet wide at the top, .placed them ex- 
actly the distance apart of an Havana sugar U)x. — Her 
stern was square and the bows tapered to a peak, making 
her form resemble a flat-iron. We proceeded thus far and 
returned to rest for the night — but Mr. Bracket was too 
unwell to get much sleep. 

Monrlay, 28 — Went on with the work as fast as possi- 
ble. Some of the Spaniards had long knives about them, 
which proved very useful in fitting timbers, and a gimble^ 
of mine, accidentally found* on board the pirates, enabled 
us to use the wooden pins. And now* our s|>irits began 
to revive, though tca/er, water ^ was continually in oui 
minds. We now' feared the pirates might possibly come, ' 
find out our plan and put us to death, (although before 
we had w ished to see them, being so much in want of wa- 
ter.) Our labor was extremely burdensome, and the 
Spaniards considerably peevish — but they would often 
say to me “ never mind captain, by and by, Americana 
or Spanyola catch them, me go and see bim hung.’’ We 
quitted work for the day, cooked some cakes but found it 
necessary to reduce the quantity again, however small be- 
fore. VVe found some herbs on a windward Key, which 
the Spaniards called Spanish tea. — This w hen well boiled 
we found somewhat palatable, although the water w'as very 
salt. This herb resembles pennyroyal in look and taste, 
though not so pungtmt. In the evening w'hen w'e were 
setting round the fire to keep oflT the moschetoes, I ob- 
served David Warren’s, eyes shone like glass. The mate 
said to him — “ David I think you w ill die before morn- 
ing — I think you are struck w'ith death now.” I thought 
so too, and told him, “ I thought it most likely we should 
all die here soon ; but as some one of us might survive to 


DEATH AND BURIAL OF DAVID WARREN. 359 

carrjj. the tidings to our friends, if you have any thing to 
say respecting your family, now is the time.” — He then 
said, “ I have a mother in Saco where I belong — she is a 
second time a widow — to-morrow if you can spare a scrap 
of paper and pencil I will write something.” But no to- 
morrow came to him. — In the course of the night he had 
another spell of strangling, and soon after expired, with- 
out much pain and without a groan. He was about twen- 
ty-six years old. — How solemn was this scene to us 1 Here 
we beheld the ravages of death commenced upon us. 
Moie tlian one of us considered death a happy release. 
For myself I thought of my wife and children ; and wished 
to live if God should so order it, though extreme thirst, 
hunger and exhaustion had well nigh prostrated my fond- 
est hopes. 

Tuesday, 29th. — Part of us recommenced labor on the 
boat, while myself and Mr. Bracket went and selected the 
highest clear spot of sand on the northern side of the is- 
land, where we dug Warren’s grave, and boxed it up with 
shooks, thinking it would be the most suitable spot for the 
rest of us — whose turn would come next, we 'knew not. 
At about ten o’clock, A. M. conveyed the corpse to the 
grave, followed by us-survivers — a scene, whose awTul so- 
lemnity can never be painted. We stood around the 
grave, and there I read the funeral prayer from the Rev. 
Mr. Brooks’s Family Prayer Book ; and committed the 
body to the earth ; covered it with some pieces of bo.ard 
and sand, and returned to our labor. One of the Span- 
iards, an old man, named Manuel, who was partial to me, 
and I to him, made a cross and placed it at the head of the 
grave saying, “ Jesus Christ hath him now.” Although I 
did not believe in any mysterious influence of this cross, 
yet I was perfectly willing it should stand there. The 
middle part of the day being very warm, our mouths 
parched with thirst, and our spirits so depressed, that we 
made but little progress during the remainder of this day, 
but in the evening were employed in picking oakum out of 
the bolt rope taken from the old sail. 

Wednesday, 30th.— Returned to labor on the boat with 
as much vigor as our weak and debilitated state would ad- 
mit, but it was a day of trial to us all ; for the Spaniards 


360 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


and we Americans could not vvell^ understand each other’s 
plans, and they being naturally [)etulant, would not work, 
nor listen with any patience for Joseph, our Knglish fellow 
prisoner, to explain our views — they would sometimes un- 
do what they had done, and in a few minutes replace it 
again ; however befoie night we began to caulk her seams, 
by means of pieces of hard mangrove, made in form of a 
caulking-iron, and had the satisfaction of seeing her in a 
form something like a boat. 

Thursday, 3 1st. — Went on with the work, some at caulk- 
ing, others at battening the seams with stri|)s of canvas, 
and pieces of pine nailed over, to keep the oakum in. 
Having found a suitable pole for a mast, the rest went 
about making a sail from the one we had used for a cover- 
ing, also fitting oars of short pieces of boards, in form of a 
paddle, tied on a pole, we having a piece of fishing line 
brought by one of the prisf>ners. Thus, at three P. M. tlie 
boat was completed and put afloat. — We had all this time 
confidently hoped, that she would be sufficiently large and 
strong to carry us all — we made a trial and were disap- 
pointed ! This was indeed a severe trial, and the emo- 
tions it called up were not easy ^o be suppressed. She 
proved leaky, for we had no carpenter’s yard, or smith’s 
shop to go to. — And now the question was, “ who should 
go, and how many ?” I found it necessary for six ; four 
to row, one to steer and one to bale. Three of the Span- 
iards and the Frenchman claimed the right, as being best 
acquainted with the nearest inhabitants ; likewise, they had 
when taken, two boats left at St. Maria, (about forty miles 
distant,) which they w'ere confident of finding. They 
promised to return within two or three days for the rest of 
us — I thought it best to consent — Mr. Bracket it was 
agreed should go in my stead, because my pa})ers rniist ac- 
company me as a necessary protection, and rny men ap- 
prehended danger if they were lost. Joseph Baxter (I 
think was his name) they wished should go, because he 
could speak both languages — leaving Manuel, George, 
Thomas and myself, 'to wait their .return. Having thus 
made all arrangements, and putting up a keg of the least 
salt water, with a few pancakes of salt fi^h, they set off a 
little before sunset with our best wdslies and prayers for 


A SAIL, A SAIL. 


361 


their safety and return to our relief. — To launch ofl’ into 
(he wide ocean, with strength almost exhausted, and in 
such a frail boat as tliis, you will say was very hazardous, 
and in truth it was ; but what else was left to us ? — Their 
intention was to touch at the Key where the Exertion was, 
and if no boat was ^to be found there, to proceed to St. 
i^Iaria, and if none there, to go to Trinidad and send us re- 
lief. — But alas ! it was the last time I ever saw them 1 — Our 
suffering this day was most acute. 

Tuesday, 5th. — About ten o’clock, A. M. discovered a 
boat drifting by on the southeast side of the island about 
a mile distant. I deemed it a providential thing to us, 
and urged Thomas and George trying the raft for her. 
They reluctantly consented and set off, but it was nearly 
three P. M. when they came up with h^jr. — it was the 
same boat we had built! Where then was my friend 
Bracket and those who went with him ? Every appear- 
ance was unfavorable. — I hoped that a good Providence 
had yet preserved him. — The two men who went for the 
boat, found it full of water, -without oars, paddle, or sail ; 
being in this condition, and about three miles to the lee- 
ward, the men found it impossible to tow her up, so left 
her, and were until eleven o’clock at night getting back 
with the raft. They were so exhausted, that had it not 
been nearly calm, they could never have returned. 

Wednesday, 6th. — This morning was indeed the most 
gloomy I had ever experienced. — There appeared hardly a 
ray of hope that my friend Bracket could return, seeing 
the boat was lost. Our provisions nearly gone ; our mouths 
j)arched extremely with thirst ; our strength wasted ; our 
spirits broken, and our hopes imprisoned within the 
circumference of this desolate island in the midst of an 
unfrequented ocean ; all these things gave to the scene 
around us the hue of death. In the midst of this dread- 
ful despondence, a sail hove in sight bearing the white 
flag 1 Our hopes were raised, of course — but no sooner 
raised than darkened, by hearing a gun fired. Here then 
was another' gang of pirates. She soon, however, came 
near enough to anchor, and her boat pushed off towards 
us with three men in her. — Thinking it now no worse to 
die by sword than famine, 1 walked down immediately 

31 Y 


362 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


to meet them. I knew them not. — A moment before the 
boat touched the ground, a man leaped from her bows and 
caught me in his arms ! It teas JSickola ! — saying, Do 
you now believe Nickola is your friend? yes, said he, 
Jamieson will yet prove himself so.” — No words can ex- 
press my emotions at this moment. This was a friend in- 
deed. The reason of my not recognizing them before, 
was that they had cut off their beards and whiskers. 
Turning to my fellow-sufferers, Nickola asked — “ Are 
these all that are left of you ? where are the others ?” — At 
this moment seeing David’s grave — “ are tliey dead then ? 
ail I suspected it, 1 know what you were put here for.” 
As soon as 1 could recover myself, I gave him an account of 
Mr. Bracket and the others. — “ How unfortunate,” he said, 
“ they must be lost, or some pirates have taken them.”-^ 
But,” he continued, “ we have no time to lose ; you had 
better embark immediately with us, and go where you 
please, we are at your service.” The other two in the 
Doat were Frenchmen, one named Lyon, the other Par- 
rikete. They affectionately embraced each of us ; then 
holding to my mouth the nose of a teakettle, filled with 
wine, said “ Drink plenty, no hurt you.” I* drank as 
njuch as I judged prudent. They then gave it to my fel- 
low sufferers — I experienced almost immediate relief, not 
leeling it in my head ;• they had also brought in the boat 
for us, a dish of salt beef and potatoes, of w'hich we took a 
little. Then sent the boat on board for the other two 
men, being five in all ; who came ashore, and rejoiced 
enough was I to see among them Thomas Young, one of 
my crew, who was detained on board the Mexican, but 
Jiad escaped through Nickola’s means ; the other a French- 
man, named John Cadedt. I now thought again and 
igain, WMth troubled emotion, of my dear friend Bracket’s 
late. I took the last piece of paper I had, and wrote with 
pencil a few lines, informing him (should he come there.) 
that “ I and the rest were safe ; that I was not mistaken 
in the friend in whom I had placed so much confidence, 
that he had accomplished my highest expectations ; and 
that I should go immediately to Trinidad, and requested 
him to go there also, and apply to Mr. Isaac W. Lord, 
my consignee, for assistance.” I put the paper into a 


NICKOLA TAKES CAPTAIN LINCOLN OFF THE ISLAND. 3G3 

junk bottle, previously found on the beach, put in a stop- 
per, and left it, together with what little flour remained, a 
keg of water brouglit from Nickola’s vessel, and a few 
other tilings which I thought might be of service to him, 
We then repaired with our friends on board, where we 
were kindly treated. She was a sloop from Jamaica, of 
about twelve tons, with a cargo of rum and wine, bound 
to 'Trinidad. I asked “which way they intended to go ?’^ 
They said “ to Jamaica if agreeable to me.” As I preferr^^d 
Trinidad, I tohl them, “ if they would give me the Exer- 
tion’s boat which was along-side (beside their own) some 
water and provisions, we w'ouid take chance in her,” — “ for 
perhaps,” said 1, “ you will fare better at Jamaica, than at 
Trinidad.” After a few minutes consultation, they said 
“ you are too much exhausted to row the distance of one 
hundred miles, therefore we will go and carry you — we 
consider ourselves at your service.” I expressed a wish to 
take a look at the Exertion, possibly we might hear some- 
thing of Mr. Bracket. Nickola said “ very well,” so got 
under way, and run for her, having a light westerly wind. 
He then related to me the manner of their desertion from 
the pirates ; as nearly as I can recollect his own words, he 
said, “ A few days since, the pirates took four small ves- 
sels, I believe Spaniards ; they having but two officers for 
the two first, the third fell to me as prize master, and hav- 
ing an understanding with the three Frenchmen and 
Thomas, selected them for my crew, and went on board 
with orders to follow the Mexican ; which I obeyed. The 
fourth, the pirates took out all but one man and bade him 
also follow their vessel. Now our schooner leaked so bad, 
that we left her and in her stead agreed to take this little 
sloop (which we are now in) together with the one man. 
The night being very dark we all agreed to desert the pi- 
rates — altered our course and touched at St. Maria, where 
we landed the one man — saw no boats there, could hear 
nothing from you, and agreed one and ail at the risk of 
our lives to come and liberate you if you were alive; 
knowing, as we did, that you were put on this Key to 
perish. On our way we boarded the Exertion, thinking 
possibly you might have been there. On board her we 
found a sail and paddle. We took one of the pirate’s 


364 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


boats which they had left along-side of her, which proves 
how we came by two boats. My friend, the circumstance 
I am now about to relate, will somewhat astonish you. 
When the pirate’s boat with Bolidar was sent to the be- 
fore mentioned Key, on the 19th of January, it was their 
intention to leave you prisoners there, where was nothing 
but salt water and mangroves, and no possibility of escape. 
This was the plan of Baltizar, their abandoned pilot ; but 
Bolidar’s heart failed him, and he objected to it ; then, 
after a conference. Captain Jonnia ordered you to be put 
on the little island from whence we have now taken you. 
But after this was done, that night the French and Portu- 
guese part of the Mexican’s crew protested against it ; so 
that'Captain Jonnia to satisfy them, sent his large boat to 
take you and your fellow prisoners back again, taking care 
to select his confidential Spaniards for this errand. And 
you will believe me they set otf from the Mexican, and af- 
ter spending about as much time as would really have ta- 
ken them to come to you, they returned, and reported 
they had been to your island, and landed, and that none 
of you were there, somebody having taken youolf! This, 
all my companions here know to be true. — I knew it was 
impossible you could have been liberated, and therefore we 
determined among ourselves, that should an opportunity 
occur we would come and save your lives, as we now 
have.” He then expressed, as he hitherto had done, (and 
1 believe with sincerity,) his disgust with the bad company 
which he had been in, and looked forward with anxiety to 
the day when he might return to his native country. I ad- 
vised him to get on board an Amerian vessel, whenever an 
opportunity offered, and come to the United States ; and 
on his arrival direct a letter to me ; repeating my earnest 
desire to make some return for the disinterested friendship 
which he had shown toward me. With the Frenchman 1 
had but little conversation, being unacquainted with the 
language. 

Here ended Nickola’s account. “ And now,” said the 
Frenchmen, ‘‘ our hearts be easy.” Nickola observed he 
had left all and found us. I gave them my warmest 
tribute of gratitude, saying 1 looked upon them under God 
as the preservers of our lives, and promised them all the 


OVERHAULED BY A SUSPICIOUS LOOKING CRAFT. 365 

assistance which my situation might enable me to afford. — 
This brings me to, 

Thursday evening, 7th, when, at eleven o’clock, we an- 
chored at the creek’s mouth, near the Exertion. I was 
anxious to board her ; accordingly took with me Nickola, 
Thomas, George and two others, well armed, each with a 
musket and cutlass. I jumped on her deck, saw a fire in 
the camboose, but no person there : I called aloud Mr. 
Bracket’s name several times, saying ‘‘ it is Captain Lin- 
coln, don’t be afraid, but show yourself but no answer 
was given. She had no masts, spars, rigging, furniture, 
provisions or any thing left, except her bowsprit, and a few 
barrels of salt provisions of her cargo. Her ceiling had 
holes cut in it, no doubt in their foolish search for money. 
I left her with peculiar emotions, such as I hope never 
again to experience ; and returned to the little sloop where 
we remained till — 

Friday, 8th — When I had a disposition to visit the isl- 
and on which we were first imprisoned. — Found nothing 
there — saw a boat among the mangroves, near the Exer- 
tion. Returned, and got under way immediately for Trini- 
dad. In the night vvdiile under full sail, run aground on a 
sunken Key, having rocks above the water, resembling old 
stumps of trees ; we, however, soon got off and anchored. 
Most of those Keys have similar rocks about them, which 
navigators must carefully guard against. 

Monday, llth — Got under way — saw a brig at anchor 
about five miles below the mouth of the harbor; we hoped 
to a^'oid her speaking us ; but when we opened in sight of 
her, discovered a boat making towards us, with a number of 
armed men in her. This alarmed my friends, and as we 
did not see the brig’s ensign hoisted, they declared the 
boat was a pirate, and looking through the spy-glass, 
they knew some of them to be the Mexican’s men ! 
This state of things was quite alarming. They said, “ we 
will not be takt n alive by them.” In)mediately the boat 
fired a musket ; the ball passed through our mainsail. My 
friends insisted on beating them oft’: I endeavored to dis- 
suade them, believing, as 1 did, that the brig was a Span- 
ish man-of-war, who had sent her boat to ascertain who 
we were. I thought we had better heave to. Immedi- 


366 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


ately another shot came. Then they insisted on fighting, 
and said “ if I would not help them, I was no friend.” 1 
reluctantly acquiesced, and handed up the ^runs — com- 
menced firing upon them and they upon us. We received 
several shot through the sails, but no one was hurt on ei- 
ther side. Our two boats had been cast adrift to ma e us 
go the faster, and we gained upon them — continued firing 
until they turned from us, and went for our boats, which 
they took in tow for the brig. Soon after this, it became 
calm : then I saw thai the brig baa us in her power. — She 
manned and armed two more ix»at=. ki us. We now con- 
cluded, since we had scarcc»y any t nniunition,to surrender ; 
and were towed down along-side the brig on board, and 
were asked by the captain, who could speak English, 
“ what for you fire on the boat?” I told him “ we thought 
her a pirate, and did not like to be taken by them 
again, having already suffered too much showing my 
papers. He said, “ Ca[)tain Americana, never mind, go 
and take some dinner — which are your men ?” I pointed 
them out to him, and he ordered them the liberty of the 
decks; but my friend Nickola and his three associates 
were immediately put in irons. They were, however, af- 
terwards taken out of irons and examined ; and I under- 
stood the Frenchmen agreed to enlist, as they judged it the 
surest way to better their condition. Whether Ahckola en- 
listed, I do not know, but think that he did, as I under- 
stood that offer was made to him : I however endeavored 
to explain more distinctly to the captain, the benevolent 
efforts of these four men by whom my life had been saved, 
and used every argument in my power to procure their dis- 
charge. I also applied to the governor, and exerted my- 
self with peculiar interest, dictated as I trust with heartfelt 
gratitude — and I ardently hope ere this, that Nickola is on 
his way to this country, where I may have an opportunity 
of convincing him that such an act of benevolence will 
not go unrewarded. Previous to my leaving Trinidad, 1 
made all the arrangements in my power with my influen- 
tial friends, and doubt not, that their laudable efforts will 
be accomplished. — the sloop’s cargo was then taken on 
board the brig ; after which the captain requested a cer- 
tificate that I was politely treated by him, saying that his 


CAPTA^IN LINCOLN THROWN IN PRISON AT HAVANA. 367 

name was Captain Candama, of the privateer brig Pru ien- 
tee of eighteen guns. This request I complied with. His 
first lieutenant told me he had sailed out of Boston, as 
commander for T. C. Amory, Esq. during the last war In 
the course of the evening my friends were taken cut of 
irons and examined separately, then put back again. The 
captain invited me to supper in his cabin, and a berth for 
the night, which was truly acceptable. The next morn- 
ing after breakfast, I with my people were set oi\ shore 
with the few things we had, with the promise of the 
Exertion’s small boat in a day or two, — but it was nev- 
er sent me — the reason, let the reader imagine. On 
landing at the wharf Casildar, we were immediate ly ta- 
ken by soldiers to the guard house, which was a very 
filthy place ; thinking I suppose, and even calling us, 
pirates. Soon some friends came to see me. Mr. Cot- 
ton, who resides there brought us in some soup. Mr. 
Isaac W. Lord, of Boston, my merchant, came with Cap- 
tain Tate, who sent immediately to the governor; fori 
would not show my papers to any one else. He came 
abou", sunset, and after examining Manuel my Spanish fel- 
low prisoner, and my papers, said' to me, giving me the 
papers, ‘‘ Captain, you are at liberty.” I was kindly in- 
vited by Captain Matthew Rice, of schooner Galaxy, of 
Boston, to go on board his vessel, and live with him du- 
ring my stay there. This generous offer I accepted, and 
was treated by him with the greatest hospitality ; for I 
was hungered and he gave me meat, I was athirst and he 
gave me drink, I was naked and he clothed me, a stranger 
and he took me in. He likewise took Manuel and my 
three men for that night. Next day Mr. Lord rendered 
me all necessary assistance in making my protest. He had 
heard nothing from me until my arrival. I was greatly 
disappointed in not finding Mr. Bracket, and requested 
Mr. Lord to give him all needful aid if he should come 
there. To Captain Carnes, of the schooner Hannah, of 
Boston, I would tender my sincere thanks, for his kind- 
ness in giving me a passage to Boston, which 1 gladly ac- 
cepts d. To those gentlemen of Trinidad, and many cap- 
tains of American vessels, who gave me sea clothing, &c. 
I offer my cordial gratitude. 


308 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


I am fully of the opihion that these ferocious pirates 
are linked in with many inhabitants of Cuba ; and the 
government in many respects appears covertly to encour- 
age them. 

It is with heartfelt delight, that, since the above nar- 
rative was written, I have learned that Mr. Bracket and 
his companions are safe ; he arrived at Port d’Esprit, about 
forty leagues east of Trinidad. A letter has been received 
from him, stating that he should proceed to Trinidad the 
lirst opportunity. — It appears that after reaching the wreck, 
they found a boat from the shore, taking on board some of 
the Exertion’s cargo, in which they proceeded to the above 
place. Why it was not in his power to come to our re- 
lief will no doubt be sati.sfactorily disclosed when he may be 
so fortunate as once more to return to his native country 
and friends. 

I felt great anxiety to learn what became of Jamieson, 
who, my readers will recollect, was detained on board 
the Spanish brig Prudentee nea.r Trinidad. I heard noth- 
ing from him, until I believe eighteen months after I reach- 
ed home, when I received a letter from him, from Montego 
Bay, Jamaica, informing me that he was then residing in 
that island. I immediately wrote to him, and invited him 
to come on to the United States. He accordingly came on 
passenger with Captain Wilson of Cohasset, and arrived in 
Boston, in August, 1824. Our meeting was very alfect- 
ing. Trying scenes were brought up before us ; scene? 
gone forever, tlirough which we have passed together, 
where our acquaintance was formed, and since which time, 
we had never met. 1 beheld once more the preserver of 
my life ; the instrument, under Providence, of restoring 
me to my home, my family, and my friends, and 1 regard- 
ed him with no ordinary emotion. My family were de- 
lighted to see him, and cordially united in giving him a 
warm reception. He told me that after we separated in 
Trinidad, he remained on board the Spanish brig. The 
commander asked him and his companions if they would 
enlist ; the Frenchmen replied that they would, bilt he said 
nothing, being determined to make his escape, the very 
first opportunity which should present. The Spanish brig 
afterwards fell in with a Columbian Patriot, an armed brig 


The Pirates fire into Lieut. Kearney’s boat, while reconnoitering' the shore, i)' 876. 









NICKOLA EMBARKS FOR AMERICA. 


37 


f eighteen guns. Being of about equal force, they gave 
oattle, and fought between three and four hours. Both 
oarties were very much injured; and, without any consid- 
erable advantage on either side, both drew off to make re- 
pairs. The Spanish brig Prudentee, put into St. Jago de 
Cuba. Jamieson was wounded in the action, by a musket 
ball, through his arm, and was taken on shore, with the 
other wounded, and placed in the hospital of St. Jago. 
Here he remained for a considerable lime, until he had 
nearly recovered, when he found an opportunity of escap- 
ing, and embarked for Jamaica. He arrived in safety at 
Kingston, and from there, travelled barefoot over the moun- 
tains, until very much exhausted, he reached Montego Bay, 
Avhere he had friends, and where one of his brothers pos- 
sessed some property. From this place, he afterw'ards 
WTote to me. He told me that before he came to Massa- 
chusetts, he saw the villanous pilot of the Mexican, the 
infamous Baltizar, with several other pirates, brought into 
Montego Bay, from whence they were to be conveyed to 
Kingston to be executed. Whether the others were part 
of the Mexican’s crew, or not, I do not know. Baltizar 
was an old man, and as Jamieson said, it w’as a melancholy 
and heart-rending sight, to see him borne to execution 
with those gray hairs, whic^ might have been venerable in 
virtuous old age, now a shame and reproach to this hoary 
villain, for he was full of years, and old in iniquity. When 
Jamieson received the letter which 1 w'rote him, he imme- 
diately embarked with Captain Wilson,. and came to Bos- 
ton, as I have before observed. 

According to his own account he w^as of a very respec- 
table family in Greetiock, Scotland. His father w hen liv- 
ing was a rich cloth merchant, but both his father and 
mother had been dead many years. He was the youngest 
of thirteen children, and being, as he said, of a roving dis 
position, had always foMow'ed the seas. He had received a 
polite education, and was of a very gentlemanly deport- 
ment. He spoke several living languages, and was skilled 
in drawing and paniting. He had travelled extensively in 
ditTerent countries, and" acquired in consequence an excel- 
lent knowledge of their manners and customs. His varied 
information (for hardly any subject escaped him.) render- 


372 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


ed him a very entertaining companion. His observations 
on the character of difi'er6nt nations were very liberal ; 
marking their various traits, their virtues and vices, with 
playful humorousness, quite free from bigotry, or narrow 
prejudice. 

I was in trade, between Boston and Philadelphia, at 
the time he came to Massachusetts, and he sailed with 
me several trips as my mate. He afterwards went to 
Cuba, and was subsequently engaged in the mackerel fishe- 
ry, out of the port of Hingham, during the warm season, 
and in the winter frequently employed himself in teaching 
navigation to young men, for which he was eminently 
qualified. He remained with us, until his death, which 
took place in 1829. At this time he had been out at sea 
two or three days, when he was taken sick, and was car- 
ried into Cape Cod, where he died, on the first day of 
May, 1829, and there his remains lie buried. Peace be 
to his ashes ! They rest in a strange land, far from his 
kindred and his native country. 

Since his death I have met with Mr. Stewart, of Phila- 
delphia, who was Commercial Agent in Trinidad at the 
time of my capture. He informed me that the piratical 
schooner Mexican, was afterwards chased by an English 
government vessel, from Jamaica, which was cruising in 
search of it. Being hotly pursued, the pirates deserted 
their vessel, and fled to the Mangrove bushes, on an island 
similar to that on which they had placed me and my crew 
to die. The English surrounded them, and thus they were 
cut off fn^m all hopes of escape. They remained there, I 
think^fourteen days, when being almost entirely subdued 
by famine, eleven surrendered themselves, and were taken. 
The others probably perished among the mangroves. The 
few who were taken were carried by the government ves- 
sel into Trinidad. Mr. Stewart said that he saw them him- 
self, and such miserable objects, that had life, he never be- 
fore beheld. They were in a state of starvation ; their 
beards had grown to a frightful lengtl^ their bodies were 
covered with filth and vermin, and their countenances 
were hideous. From Trinidad they w'ere taken to Kings- 
ton, Jamaica, and there hung on Friday, the 7th of Feb- 
Dary, 1823. 


PIRATES CARRIED TO THE GALLOWS. 


373 


About a quarter of an hour before day dawn, the wretch- 
ed culprits were taken from the jail, under a guard of sol- 
diers from the 50th regiment, and the City Guard. On 
their arrival at the wherry wharf,, the military retired, and 
the prisoners, with the Town Guard were put on board 
two wherries, in which they proceeded to Port Royal 
Point, the usual place of execution in similar cases. They 
were there met by a strong party of military, consisting of 
50 men, under command of an officer. They formed 
themselves* into a square round the place of execution, with 
the sheriff and his officers with tiie prisoners in the centre. 
The gallows was of considerable length, and contrived 
with a drop so as to prevent the unpleasant circumstances 
which frequently occur. 

The unfortunate men had been in continual prayer 
from the time they were awakened out of a deep sleep till 
they arrived at that place, where they were to close their 
existence. 

They all expressed their gratitude for the attention 
they had met with from the sheriff and the inferior officers. 
Many pressed the hands of the turnkey to their lips, oth- 
ers to their hearts, and on their knees, prayed that God, 
Jesus Christ, and the Virgin Mary would bless him and 
the other jailors for their goodness. They all then fervent- 
ly joined in prayer. To the astonishment of all, no cleri- 
cal character, of any persuasion, was present. They re- 
peatedly called out “ Adonde esta el padre,” (Where is the 
holy father.) 

Juan Hernandez called on all persons present to hear 
him— he was innocent; what they had said about his con- 
fessing himself guilty was untrue. He had admitted him- 
self guilty, because he hoped for pardon ; but that now he 
was to die, he called God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, 
the Virgin Mary, and the. Sail) ts, to witness that he spoke 
the truth — that he was no pirate, no murderer — he had 
been forced. The Lneutenant of the pirates was a 
wretch, who did not fear God, and hacT compelled him 
to act. 

Juan Gutterez and Francisco de Sayas were loud in their 
protestations of innocence. 

Manuel Lima said, for himself, he did not care ; he felt 
32 


374 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


for the old man Jose.) How could he be a pirate 

who could not help himself? If it were a Christian coun- 
try, they would have pardoned him for his gray hairs. He 
was innocent — they had both been forced. Let none ol 
his friends or relations ever venture to sea — he hoped his 
death would be a warning to them, that the innocent might 
suffer for the guilty. The language of tliis young man 
marked him a superior to the generality of his companions 
in misfortune. The seamen of the Whim stated that he 
•was very kind to them when prisoners on board the pirati 
cal vessel. Just before he was turned off, he addressed 
the old man — “ Adios viejo, para siempre adios.” — (Fare- 
well, old man, forever farewell.) 

Several of the prisoners cried out for mercy, pardon, 
pardon. 

Domingo Eucalla, the black man, then addressed them. 
‘‘ Do not look for mercy here, but pray to God ; we are all 
brought here to die. This is not built for nothing ; here 
w'e must end our lives. You know I am innocent, but I 
must die the same as you all. There is not any body here 
who can do us any good, so let us think only of God Al- 
niighty. We are not children but men, you know that all 
must die ; and in a few years those who kill us must die 
too. When I was born, God set the way of my death ; I 
do not blame any body. I was taken by the pirates and 
they made me help them ; they would not let me be idle. 
I could not show that this was the truth, and therefore 
they have judged me by the people they have found me 
with. I am put to death unjustly, but I blame nobody. 
It was my misfortune. Come, let us pray. If we are in- 
nocent, so much the less we have to repent. I do not 
come here to accuse any one. Death must come one day 
or other ; better to the innocent than guilty.” He then 
joined in prayer with the others. He seemed to be much 
reverenced by his fellow prisoners. He chose those 
prayers he thought most adapted to the occasion. Hun- 
dreds were witnesses to the manly firmness of this negro. 
Observing a bystander listening attentively to the com- 
plaints of one of his fellow wretches, he translated what 
had been said into English. With a steady pace, and a 
resolute and resigned countenance, he ascended the fata 


TEN PIRATES HUNG. 


375 


scaffold. Observing the executioner unable to untie a 
knot on the collar of one of the prisoners, he with his 
teeth untied it. He then prayed most fervently till the 
drop fell. 

Miguel Jose protested his innocence. — ‘‘ No he robado, 
no he matado ningune, muero innocente.” — (I have rob- 
bed no one, I have killed no one, I die innocent. 1 am 
an old man, but my family will fe«l my disgraceful death.) 

Francisco Miguel prayed devoutly, but inaudibly. — 
His soul seemed to have quitted the body before he was 
executed. 

Breti Gullimillit called on all to witness his innocence ; 
it was of no use for him to say an untruth, for he was go- 
ing before the face of God. 

Augustus Hernandez repeatedly declared his innocence, 
requested that no one would say he had made a confession ; 
he had none to make. 

Juan Hernandez was rather obstinate when the execu- 
tioner pulled the cap over his eyes. He said, rather pas- 
sionately — “ Quita is de mis ojos.” — (Remove it from my 
eyes.) He then rubbed it up against one of the posts of 
the gallows. 

Miguel Jose made the same complaint, and drew the 
covering from his eyes by rubbing his head against a fol- 
low sufferer. 

Pedro Nondre was loud in his ejaculations for mercy 
He wept bitterly. He was covered with marks of deep 
wounds. 

The whole of the ten included in the death w'arrant, 
having been placed on the scaffold, and the ropes suspend- 
ed, the drop was let down. Nondre being an immense- 
heavy man, broke the rope, and fell to the ground alive. 
Juan Hernandez struggled long. Lima was much con- 
vulsed. The old man Gullimillit, and Miguel, were appa- 
rently dead before the drop fell. Eucalla (the black man) 
gave one convulsion, and all was over. 

When Nondre recovered from the fall and saw his nine 
lifeless companions stretched in death, he gave an agoniz- 
ing shriek ; he wrung his hands, screamed “ Favor, favor, 
me matan sin causa. O! buenos Christianos, meamparen; 
ampara me, ampara me, no hay Christiano en asta, tiara V 


376 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


(Mercy, mercy, they kill me without cause Oh, good 

Christians, protect me, Oh, protect me. Is there no 
Christian in this land r) 

He then li. ted his eyes to Heaven, and prayed long and 
loud. Upon being again suspended, he was for a long 
period convulsed. He was an immense powerful man, 
and (lied hard. 

A piratical station w^as taken in the Island of Cuba by 
the U. S. schooners of war, Greyhopnd and Beagle. They 
left Thompson’s Island June 7, 1823, under the command of 
Lieuts. Kearney and Newton, and cruised within the Keys, 
on the south side of Cuba, as far as Cape Cruz, touching at 
all the intermediate ports on the island, to intercept pirates. 
On the 21st of July, they came to anchor off Cape Cruz, 
and Lieut. Kearney went in his boat to reconnoitre the 
shore, when he was fired on by a party of pirates who were 
concealed among the bushes. A fire was also opened from 
several pieces of cannon erected on a hill a short distance 
off. The boat returned, and five or six others were manned 
from the vessels, and pushed off for the shore, but a very 
heavy cannonade being kept up by the pirates on the heights, 
as well as from the bct&ts, were compelled to retreat. The 
two schooners were then warped in, when they discharged 
.several broadsides, and covered the landing of the boats. 
After a short time the pirates retreated to a hill that was 
well fortified. A small hamlet, in which the pirates resided, 
was set fire to and destroyed. Three guns, one a four 
pounder, and two large swivels, with several pistols, cut- 
lasses, and eight large boats, were captured. A cave, about 
150 feet deep, was discovered, near where the houses were, 
and after considerable difficulty,* a party of seamen got to 
the bottom, where was found an immense quantity of [)Iun- 
der, consisting of broadcloths, dry goods, female dresses, 
saddlery, &c. Many human bones were also in the cave, 
supposed to have been unfortunate persons w ho w^ere taken 
and put to death. A great many of the articles were 
brought away, and the rest destroyed. About forty pirates 
escaped to the heights, but many were supposed to have 
been killed from the fire of the schooners, as well as from 
the men who landed. The bushes were so thick that it 
was impossible to go after them. Several other caves are 


PIRATES PUT TO THE SWORD. 


377 


m the neighborhood, in which it was conjectured they oc- 
casionally take shelter. 

In 1823, Commodore Porter commanded the United 
States squadron in these seas ; much good was done in 
preventing new acts of piracy ; but these wretches kept 
aloof and did not venture to sea as formerly, but some 
were taken. 

Almost every day furnished accounts evincing the activity 
of Commodore Porter, and the officers and men under his 
command ; but for a long time their industry and zeal was 
rather sliown in the suppression of' piracy than the pimish- 
ment of it. At length, however, an opportunity offered 
for inflicting the latter, as detailed in the following letter, 
dated Matanzas, July 10, 1823. 

“ I have the pleasure of informing you of a brilliant 
achieveme’'.! obtained against the pirates on the 5th inst. 
by two oarges attached to Commodore Porter’s squadron, 
the Gallinipper, Lieut. Watson, 18 men, and the Moscheto, 
Lieut. Inman, 10 men. The barges were returning from a 
crui'^e to windward ; when they were near JiguapaBay, 13 
leagues to windward of Matanzas, they entered.it — it being 
a ren4ezvous for pirates. They immediately discovered a 
large schooner under way, which they supposed to be a 
Patriot privateer ; and as their stores were nearly exhausted, 
they hoped to obtain some supplies from her. They there- 
fo.*e made sail in pursuit. When they were within cannon 
shot distance, she rounded to and fired her long gun, at the 
same time run up the bloody flag, directing her course to- 
wards the si. ore, and continuing to fire without effect. When 
she liad got within a short distance of the shore, she came 
to, with sj)rings on her cable. continuing to fire; and when 
the barges were within 30 yards, they fired their muskets 
without touching boat or man ; our men gave three cheers, 
and })repared to board; the pirates, discovering their inten- 
tion, jumped into the water, when the bargemen, calling 
on the name of ‘‘Allen,” commenced a destructive slaught- 
er, killing them in the water and as they landed. So ex- 
asperated were our men, that it w'as impossible for their 
officers to restrain them, and many w'ere killed alter orders 
w'ere given to grant quarter. Tw'^enty-seven dead w’ere 
32* z 


378 


THE WEST INDIA PIRATES. 


counted, some sunk, five taken prisoners by the bargemen, 
and eight taken by a party of Spaniards on shore. The 
officers calculated that from 30 to 35 were killed. The 
schooner mounted a long nine pounder on a pivot, and 4 
four pounders, with every other necessary armament, and a 
crew of 50 to 60 men, and ought to have blown the barges 
to atoms. She was commanded by the notorious Diableto 
or Little Devil. This statement 1 have from Lieut. Wat- 
son himself, and it is certainly the most decisive operation 
that has been effected against those murderers, either by 
the English or American force. 

‘‘ This affair occurred on the same spot where the brave 
Allen fell about one year since. The prize was sent to 
Thompson’s Island.” 

A British sloop of war, about the same time, captured a 
pirate schooner off St. Domingo, with a crew of 60 men. 
She had 200,000 dollars in specie, and other valuable arti- 
cles on board. The brig Vestal sent another pirate schoon- 
er to New-Providence. 


THE 


ADVENTURES AND EXECUTION 

• OF 

CAPTAIN JOHN R A C K A M. 


This John Rackam, as* has been reported in the fore- 
going pages, was quarter-master to Vane’s company, till the 
crew were divided, and Vane turned out of it for refusing 
to board a French man-of-war, Rackam being voted cap- 
tain of the division that remained in the brigantine. The 
24th of November 1718, was the first day of his command; 
his first cruise was among the Carribbee Islands, where he 
took and plundered several vessels. 

We have already taken notice, that when Captain Woods 
Rogers went to the island of Providence with the king’s 
pardon to such of the pirates as should surrender, this 
brigantine, which Rackam commanded, made its escape 
through another passage, bidding defiance to the mercy 
that was offered. 

To the windward of Jamaica, a Madeira-man fell into 
the pirate’s way, which they detained two or three days, 
till they had tlieir majket out of her, and then they gave 
her back to the master, and permitted one Hosea Tidsel, a 
tavern keeper at Jamaica, who had been picked up in one 
of their prizes, to depart in her, she being bound for that 
island. 

After this cruise they went into a small island, and 
cleaned, and spent their Christmas ashore, drinking and 
carousing as long as they had any liquor left, and then weni 
to sea again for more. They succeeded but too well 
though they took no extraordinary prize for above two 
months, except a ship laden with convicts from Newgate, 
bound for the plantations, which in a few days was retaken, 


380 ADVENTURES AND EXECUTION OF CAPT. RACKAM. 

with all her cargo, by an English man-of-war that was sta 
tioned in those seas. 

liackarn stood towards the island of Bermuda, and took 
a ship bound to England from Carolina, and a small pink 
from New England, both of which he brouglit to the Ba- 
hama Islands, where, with the pitch, tar and stores they 
cleaned again, and refitted their own vessel ; but s^iying 
loo long in that neighborhood, Captain Rodgers, who was 
Governor of Providence, hearing of these ships beingtaken, 
sent out a sloop well manned and armed, which retook both 
the prizes, though in the mean while the pirate had tiie 
good fortune to escape. 

From hence they sailed to the back of Cuba, where 
Rackam kept a little kind of a family ; at which place they 
stayed a considerable time, living ashore with their Deli- 
lahs, till their money and provisions were expended, and 
they concluded it time to look out for more. They re- 
paired their vessel, and were making ready to put to sea, 
when a guarda de costa came in wiih a small English sloop, 
which she had taken as an interloper on the coast. I'he 
Spanish guard-ship attacked the pirate, but Rackam being 
close in behind a little island, she could do but little exe- 
cution where she lay ; the Dons therefore warped into the 
channel that evening, in order to make sure of her the next 
morning. Rackam finding his case desperate, and that 
there was hardly any possibility of escaping,* resolved to 
attempt the following enterprize. The Spanish priz^ lying 
for better security close into the land between the little 
island and the Main, our desperado took his crew into the 
boat with their cutlasses, rounded the little island, and fell 
aboard their prize silently in the dead of the night without 
being discovered, telling the Spaniards that were aboard 
her, that if they spoke a w’ord, or made the least noise, 
they were all dead men ; and so they became masters ot 
her. When this w^as done he slipped her cable, and drove 
out to sea. The Spanish man-of-war was so intent upon 
their expected prize, that they minded nothing else, and as 
soon as day broke, they made a furious fire upon the empty 
sloop; but it w'as not long before they were rightly apprised 
of the matter, when they cursed themselves sufficiently for 
a company of fools, to bit out of a good rich prize, as 


DARING EXPLOIT. 


381 


she proved to be, and to have nothing but an old crazy hull 
in tlie room of her. 

Rackam and his crew had no occasion to be displeased 
at the exchange, as it enabled them to continue some time 
longer in a way of life that suited their depraved minds. 
In August 1720, we find him at. sea again, scouring the 
harbours and inlets of the north and west parts of Jamaica, 
where he took several small craft, which proved no great 
booty to the rovers ; but they liad but few men, and there- 
fore were obliged to run at low game till they could in- 
crease their company and their strength. 

In the beginning of September, they took seven or eight 
fishing boats in Harbour Island, stole their nets and other 
tackle, and then went off to the French part of Hispaniola, 
where they landed, and took the cattle away, with two or 
three Frenchmen whom they found near the water-side, 
hunting wild hogs in the evening. The Frenchmen came 
on board, whether by consent or compulsion is not certain- 
ly known. Tliey afterwards jdundered two sloops, and re- 
turned to Jamaica, on the north coast of which island, near 
Porto Maria Bay, they took a schooner, Thomas Spenlow, 
master, it being then the 19th of October. The next day 
Rackam seeing a sloop in Dry Harbour Bay, stood in and 
fired a gun ; the men all ran ashore, and. he took the sloop 
and lading; but when those ashore found that they were 
pirates, they hailed the sloop, and let them know they were 
all willing to come on board of them. 

Rackam’s coasting the island in this manner proved fata) 
to him ; for intelligence of his expedition came to the go- 
vernor by a canoe which he had surprised ashore in Ocho 
Bay : upon this a sloop w^as immediately fitted out, and 
sent round the island in quest of him, commanded by Cap- 
tain Barnet, and manned with a good number of hands. 
Rackam, rounding the island, and drawing round the western 
point, called Point Negril, saw a small pettiaga, which, at 
the sight of the sloop, ran ashore and landed her men, 
when one of them hailed her. Answer w'as made that they 
were Englishmen, and begged the pettiaga’s men to come 
on board and drink a bowl of punch, which tiiey prevailed 
upon them to do. Accordingly, the company, in an evil 
hour, came all aboard of the pirate, consisting of nine per- 


392 ADVENTURES AND EXECUTION OF CAPT. RACKAM. 

sons ; they were armed with muskets and cutlasses, but 
what was their real design in so doing we will not pretend 
to say. They had no sooner laid down tlieir arms and 
taken up their pipes, than Barnet’s sloop, which was in 
pursuit of Kackam’s, came in sigijt. 

Tlie pirates, finding she stood directly towards them, 
feared the event, and weighed their ancimr, which they had 
but lately let go, and stood ofi’ Captain Barnet gave them 
chase, and, having advantage of little breezes of wind 
which blew off the land, came up with her, -and brought 
her into Port Royal, in Jamaica. 

About a fortnight after the prisoners were brought 
ashore, viz. November 16, 1720, Captain Rackam and eight 
of his men were condemned and executed. Captain 
P».ackam and two others were hung in chains. 

But what was very surprising, was the conviction of the 
nine men that came aboard the sloop on the same day she 
was taken. They were tried at an adjournment of the 
court on the 24th of January, the magistracy waiting all 
that time, it is supposed, for evidence to prove the piratical 
intention of going aboard the said sloop ; for it seems there 
was no act of piracy committed by them, as appeared by 
the witnesses against them, two Frenchmen, taken by 
Rackam oflf the island of Hispaniola, who merely deposed 
that the prisoners came on board without any compulsion. 

The court considered the prisoners’ cases, and the ma- 
jority of the commissioners being of opinion that they were 
all guilty of the piracy and felony they were charged with, 
viz. the going over with a piratical intent to John Rackam, 
die. then notorious pirates, and by them known to be so, 
they all received sentence of death, and were executed on 
the 17th of February at Gallows Point at Port Royal. 


# 


THE LIFE AND EXPLOITS OF 

ANNE BONNEY. 


This female pirate was a native of Cork. Her father 
was an attorney, and, by his activity in business, rose to 
considerable respectability in that place. Anne was the 
fruit of an unlawful connexion with his own servant maid, 
with whom he afterwards eloped to America, leaving his 
own affectionate and lawful wife. He settled at Carolina, 
and for some time followed his own profession ; but soon 
commenced merchant, and was §o successful as to purchase 
a considerable plantation. There he lived with his servant 
in the character of his wife ; but she dying, his daughter 
Anne superinten/led the domestic affairs of her father. 

During her residence with her parent she was supposed 
to have a considerable fortune, and was accordingly ad- 
dressed by young men of respectable situations in life. It 
happened with Anne, however, as with many others of her 
youth and sex, that her feelings, and not her interest, de- 
termined her choice of a husband. She married a young 
sailor without a shilling. The avaricious father was so 
enraged, that, deaf to the feelings of a parent, he turned 
his own child out of doors. Upon this cruel usage, and 
the disappointment of her fortune, Anne and her husband 
sailed for the island of Providence, in the hope of gaining 
employment. 

Acting a part very different from that of Mary Read, 
Anne’s affections were soon estranged from her husband 
by Captain Rackam ; and eloping with him, she went to 
sea in men’s clothes. Proving with child, the captain put 
her on shore, and entrusted her to the care of some friends 
until her recovery, when she again accompanied him in 
his expeditions. 


384 THE LIFE AND EXPLOIT^ OF ANNE BONNET. 

Upon the king’s pr^Limation offering a pardon to all 
j)irates, he surrendered, and went into the privateering 
business, as we have related before: he, however, soon 
embraced an opportunity to return to his favorite employ- 
ment. In all his piratical exploits Anne accompanied him ; 
and, as we have already recorded, displayed such courage 
and intrepidity, that she, along with Mary Read and a sea- 
man, were the last three who remained on board when the 
vessel was taken. 

Anne was known to many of the planters in Jamaica, 
who remembered to have seen her in her father’s house, 
and they, were disposed to intercede in her behalf. Her 
unprincipled conduct, in leaving her own husband and 
forming an illicit connexion with Rrckam, tended, how- 
ever, to render her friends less active. By a special favor, 
Rackam was permitted to visit her the day before he was 
executed ; but, instead of condoling with him on account 
of his sad fate, she only observed, that she was sorry to 
see him there, but if he had fought like a man he needed 
not have been hanged like a dog. Being with child, she 
remained in prison until her recovery, was reprieved from 
lime to time, and though we cannot communicate to our 
readers any particulars of her future life, or the manner of 
ker death, yet it is certain that she was not executed. 


s 

THE 

ADVENTURES AND HEROISM 

OF 

MARY READ. 


The attention of our readers is now to be directed to 
the history of two female pirates, — a history which is 
chiefly remarkable from the extraordinary circumstance of 
the softer sex assuming a character peculiarly distinguished 
for every vice that can disgrace humanity, and at the same 
time for the exertion of the most daring, though brutal, 
courage. 

Mary Reed was a native of England, but at what place 
she was born is not recorded. Her mother m'arried a sailor 
when she was very young, who, soon after their marriage, 
went to sea, and never returned. The fruit of that mar- 
riage was a sprightly boy. The husband not returning, she 
again found herself with child, and to cover her shame, 
took leave of her husband’s relations, and went to live in 
the couutry, taking her boy along with her. Her son in a 
short time died, and she was relieved from the burden of 
his maintenance and education. The mother had not re- 
sided long in the country before Mary Reed, the subject of 
the present narrative, was born. 

After the birth of Mary, her mother resided in the 
country for three or four years, until her money was all 
spent, and her ingenuity was set at work to contrive how 
to obtain a supply. She knew that her husband’s mother 
was in good circumstances, and could. easily support her 
child, provided she could mal^ her pass for a boy, and her 
son’s child. But it seemed impossible to impose upon an old 
experienced mother. She, however, presented Mary in the 
33 


386 ADVENTURES AND HEROISM OF MARY READ. 

' character of her grandson. The old woman proposed to 
take the boy to live with her, but the mother would noton 
any account part with her boy ; the grandmother, there- 
fore, allowed a crown per week for his support. 

The ingenuity of the mother being successful, she reared 
the daughter as a boy. But as sne grew up, she informed 
her of the secret of her birth, in order that she might con- 
ceal her sex. The grandmother, however, dying, the sup- 
port from that quarter failed, and she was obliged to hire 
her out as a footboy to a French lady. The strength and 
manly disposition of this supposed boy increased with her 
years, and leaving that servile employment, she engaged on 
board a man-of-war. 

The volatile disposition of the youth did not permit her 
to remain long in this station, and she next went into Flan- 
ders, and joined a regiment of foot as a cadet. Though in 
every action she conducted herself with the greatest bra- 
very, yet she could not obtain a commission, as they were 
in general bought and sold. She accordingly quitted that 
service, and enlisted into a regiment of horse ; there she 
behaved herself so valiantly, that she gained the esteem of 
all her officers. It, however, happened, that her comrade 
was a handsome young Fleming, and she fell passionately 
in love with him. The violence of her feelings rendered 
her negligent of her duty, and effected such a change in 
her behaviour as attracted the attention of all. Both her 
comrade and the rest of the regiment deemed her mad. 
Love, however, is inventive, and as they slept in the same 
tent, she found means to discover her sex without any 
seeming design. He was both surprised and pleased, sup- 
posing that he would have a mistress to himself ; but he 
was greatly mistaken, and he found that it was necessary 
to court her for his wife. A mutual attachment took place, 
and, as soon as convenient, women’s clothes were provided 
for her, and they were publicly married. 

The singularity of two troopers marrying caused a 
general conversation, and many of the officers honored the 
ceremony with their presence, and resolved to make pre- 
sents to the bride, to provide her with necessaries. After 
marriage they were desirous to quit the service, and their 
discharge being easily obtained, they set up an ordinary 


MART READ KILLS A PIRATE. 387 

under the sign of the “ Three Shoes,” and soon acquired a 
considerable run of business. 

But Mary Read’s felicity was of short duration ; the hus- 
band died, and peace being concluded, her business di- 
minished. Under these circumstances she again resumed 
her man’s dress, and going into Holland, enlisted into 
a regiment of foot quartered in one of the frontier towns. 
But there being no prospect of preferment in time of 
peace, she went on board a vessel bound for the West 
Indies. 

During the voyage, the vessel was captured by English 
pirates, and as Mary was the only English person on board, 
they detained her, and having plundered the vessel of what 
they chose, allowed it to depart. Mary continued in that 
unlawful commerce for some time, but the royal pardon 
being tendered to all those in the West Indies, who should, 
before a specified day, surrender, the crew to which she 
was attached, availed themselves of this, and lived quietly 
on shore with the fruits of their adventures. But from the 
want of their usual supplies, their money became exhaust- 
ed ; and being informed that Captain Rodgers, in the island 
of Providence, was fitting out some vessels for privateering, 
Mary, with some others, repaired to that island to serve on 
board his privateers. We have already heard, that scarce- 
ly had the ships sailed, when some of their crews mutinied, 
and ran off with the ships, to pursue their former mode of 
life. Among these was Mary Read. She indeed, fre- 
quently declared, that the life of a pirate was what she de- 
tested, and that she was constrained to it both on the for- 
mer and present occasion. It was, however, sufficiently 
ascertained, that both Mary Read and Anne Bonney were 
among the bravest and most resolute fighters of the whole 
crew; that when -the vessel was taken, these two hero- 
ines, along with another of the pirates, were the last three 
upon deck ; and that Mary, having in vain endeavored to 
rouse the courage of the crew, who had fled below, dis- 
! charged a pistol amongst them, killing one and wounding 
I another. 

Nor was Mary less modest than brave ; for though she 
1 iiad remained many years in the character of a sailor, yet 
no one had discovered her sex, until she was under the ne- 


388 ADVENTURES AND HEROISM OF MARY READ. 

cessity of doing so to Anne Bonney. The reason of this 
was, that Anne, supposing her to be a handsome fellow, 
became greatly enamored of her, and discovered her sex 
and wishes to Mary; who was thus constrained to reveal 
her secret to Anne. Rackarn being the paramour of 
Bonney, and observing her partiality towards Mary, threat- 
ened to shoot her lover ; so that to prevent any mischief, 
Anne also informed the captain of the sex of her com- 
panion. 

Rackarn was enjoined to secrecy, and here he behaved 
honorably ; but love again assailed the conquered Mary. It 
was usual with the pirates to retain all the artists who were 
captured in the trading-vessels ; among these was a very 
handsome young man, of engaging manners, who van- 
quished the heart of Mary. In a short time her love be- 
came so violent, that she took every opportunity of enjoy- 
ing his company and conversation ; and, after she had 
gained his friendship, discovered-her sex. Esteem and 
friendship were speedily converted into the most ardent 
affection, and a mutual flame burned in the hearts of these 
two lovers. An occurrence soon happened that put the at- 
tachment of Mary to a severe trial. Her lover having 
quarrelled with one of the crew, they agreed to fight a duel 
on shore. Mary was all anxiety for the fate of her lover, 
and she manifested a greater concern for the preservation 
of his life than that of her own ; but she could not en- 
tertain the idea that he should refuse to fight, and so 
be esteemed a coward. Accordingly she quarrelled with 
the man who challenged her lover, and called him to the 
field two hours before his appointment with her lover, en- 
gaged him with sword and pistol, and laid him dead at her 
feet. 

Though no esteem or love had formerly existed; this ac- 
tion was sufficient to have kindled the most violent flame. 
But this was not necessary, for the lover's attachment was 
equal, if not stronger than her own ; they pledged their 
faith, wh ch they esteemed as binding as if the ceremony 
had been performed by a clergyman. ' . 

Captain Rackarn one day, before he knew that she was a 
woman, asked her why she followed a line of life that ex- 
posed her to so much danger, and at last to the certainty 


389 



Mary Read killing her '’antagonist, 

her choice, she would not have the punishment less than 
death, the fear of which kept some dastardly rogues honest ; 
that many of those who are now cheating the widows and 
orphans, and opj)ressing their poor neighbors who have no 
money to obtain justice, would then rob at sea, and the 
ocean would be as crowded with rogues as the land : so 
tliat no merchants would venture out, and the trade in a 
little time would not be worth following.” 

Being with child at the time of her trial, her execution 
was delayed ; and it is probable that she would have founa 
favor, but in the meiin time she fell sick and died. 

Mary Read was of a strong and robust constitution, ca- 
pable of enduring much exertion and fatigue. She was 
vain and bold in her dis position, but susceptible of the teii- 
derest emotions, and of the most melting affections. Her 
conduct was generally directed by virtuous principles, while 
33 * 


MAIIV’S OPINON OF PIRACY. 

of being hanged. She replied, that, ‘‘ As to hanging, she 
thought it no great hardship, for were it not for that, every 
cowardly fellow would turn pirate, and so infest the seas; 
and men of courage would starve. That if it was put to 


390 


ADVENTURES AND HEROISM OF MARY READ. 


at the same time, she was violent in her attachments. 
Though she was inadvertently drawn into -that dishonora- 
ble mode of life w hich has stained her character, and given 
her a place among the criminals noticed in this work, yet 
she possessed a rectitude of principle and of conduct, far 
superior to many who have not been exposed to such 
temptations to swerve from the path of female virtue and 
honor. 


THE 


ALGERINE PIRATES 

• ^ 

CorUaining accounU of pie cruelties and atrocities of the 
Jiarbarij^ Corsairs, with narratives of the expeditions 



The City of Algiers. 


Nor holy bell, nor pastoral bleat. 

In former da3's within the vale. 

Flapped in the bay the pirate’s sheet. 

Curses were on the p^ale ; 

Rich goods lay on the sand, and murdered men, 

Pirate and wreckers kept their revels there. 

The Bdcankeri 

That former den of pirates, the city of Algiers is situa- 
ed on the shores of a pretty deep bay, by which the nortli- 



392 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


ern coast of Africa, is here indented, and may be said to 
form an irregular triangular figure, the base line of which 
abuts on the sea, while the apex is formed by the Cassau- 
bah, or citadel, which answered the double purpose of a 
fort to defend and awe the city, and a palace for the liabi- 
lation of the Dcy and hiS court. The hill on which the 
city is built, slopes rather rapidly upwards, so that every 
house is visible from the sea, in consequence of which it 
w'as always sure to sutler severely from a bombardinent. 
^’he top of the hill has an elevation of nearly five hundred 
feet, and exactly at this point is built the citadel ; the 
whole town lying between it and the sea. The houses of 
Algiers have no roofs, but are all terminated by terraces, 
which are constantly whitewashed ; and as the exterior 
walls, the fort, the batteries and the walls are similarly 
beautified, the whole city, from a distance, looks not unlike 
a vast chalk quarry opened on the side of a hill. 

Tlie fortifications towards the sea are of amasing strength, 
and with the additions made since Lord Exmouth’s attack, 
may be considered as almost impr^nable. They occupy 
the entire of a small island, which lies a short distance in 
front of the city, to w inch it is connected at one end by a 
magnificent mole of solid masonry, while the other w hich 
comman Is the entrance of the port, is crowned with a 
battery, bristling with cannon of immense calibre, which 
would instantly sink any vessel wdiich should now attempt 
to occupy the station taken by the Queen Charlotte on 
that memorable occasion. 

On the land side, the defences are by no means of equal 
strength, as they were always considered rather as a shelter 
against an insurrectionary movement of the natives, than 
as intended to repulse the regular attacks of a disciplined 
army. In fact defences on tliis side would be of little use 
as the city is completely commanded by difl’erent hills, 
particularly that on wdiich the Emperor’s fort is built, and 
was obliged instantly to capitulate, as soon as this latter 
Iiad fallen into the hands of the French, in 1830. 

There are four gates ; one opening on the mole, w hich 
is thence called the marine gate, one near the citadel, 
which is termed the new gate ; and the other two, at the 
north and south sides of the city, with the principal street 














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•<* ../•v 

•* • 'fm ■ 






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1 


ir' .T* 

’• M 

A 



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« 


DESCRIPTION OF THE EMPEROR^S TREASURES. 395 

running between them. All these gates are strongly forti- 
fied, and outside the three land gates run the remains of a 
ditch, which once surrounded the city, but is now filled up 
except at these points. The streets of Algiers are all 
crooked, and all narrow. The best are scarcely twelve 
feet in breadth, and even half of this is occupied by the 
projections of the shops, or the props placed to support the 
first stories of the houses, which are generally made to 
advance beyond the lower, insomuch that in many places 
a laden mule can scarcely pass. Of public, buildings, the 
most remarkable is the Cassaubah, or citadel, the situation 
of which we have already mentioned. It is a huge, heavy 
looking brick building, of a square shape, surrounded by 
high and massive wails, and defended by fifty pieces of 
cannon, and some mortars, so placed as equally to awe the 
city and country. The apartments set apart for the habi- • 
tation of the Dey and the ladies of his harem, are described 
as extremely magnificent, and abundantly supplied with mar- 
ble pillars, fountains, mirrors, carpets, ottomans,, cushions, 
and other articles of oriental luxury ; but there are others 
no less valuable and curious, such as the armory, furnished 
with weapons of every kind, of the finest manufacture, and 
in the greatest abundance, the treasury containing not 
only a profusion of the precious metals, coined or in ingots, 
but also diamonds, pearls, rubies, and other precious stones 
.of great value ; and lastly, the store rooms of immense 
extent, in which were piled up the richest silk stuffs, vel- 
vets, brocades, together with wool, wax, sugar, iron, lead, 
sabre-blades, gun barrels, and all the different productions 
of the Algerine territories ; for the Dey was not only tho 
first robber, but the first merchant in his own dominions. 

NeJ^*lo the Cassaubah, the mole with the marine forts, 
presented the handsomest and most imposing pile of build- 
ings. The mole is no less than one thousand three hun- 
dred feet in length, forming a beautiful terrace walk, sup- 
ported by arches, beneath which lay splendid magazines, 
which the French found filled with spars, hemp, cordage, 
cables, and all manner of marine stores. At the extremity 
- of the mole, lay the barracks of the Janissaries, entrusted 
with the defence of the marine forts, and consisting of 
several small separate chambers, in which they each slept 


996 


THE UTERINE PllLiTES. 


on sheepskin mats, while in the centre was a band^me 
coliee-roora. 'fhe Bj^ios were the buildings, in which 
Kuro^'eans for a long time felt the most intere^t. inasnii'ch 
as It was in these that the Christian slaves taken by the 
corsairs f^ere confined. For many years previous to tiie 
French invasion, however, the number of prisoners had 
been so trifling, that many of these terrific buildings had 
fallen to decay, and presenU*d, when the French aiiny 
entered Algiers, little more than piles of niouhleriug ruins. 
Tlie inmates of the Ba^io when taken by tlie French were 
the crews of two French brigs, which a short time before 
bad been wrecked off Cape Bingut, a few French pris^.n- 
ers of war made during their advance, r nd aliout iwi ntv 
Greek, and Genoese sailors, who bad been there for two 
years ; in all about one hundred and twenty. Thev rep' 
, resented their condition as bad, though by no means so 
deplorable as it would have been in former diiys. The 
prison was at first so ckise, that tliere was s«*ine danger of 
suffocation, to avoid which ihp Turks had made holes in 
the walls ; but as they n^lected to supjdy these with w in- 
d* ws or shutters of any kind, there was no means of ex- 
cluding wind or rain, from which consequer'lv tlie? often 
suffered. 

We shafl ooly trace these pirates back to about the year 
1500, when Selim, king of Algiers, being iPYrde^i" by 
the Spaniards, at last entreat^ the assistance ot the 
famous corsair, Oruj Reis, better known by his f.'uro;Kan 
name, Barbarossa, composed of two Italian words, signify- 
ing rtd beard. Nothing er-*ild be more agreeaWe than 
such an invitation to this ambitious robber, who elated by 
the number and hardihood of his naval exploits, had been 
for some time considering how be might b^t e.'tablish his 
pr wer by land. Accordingly, attended by five thousand 
picked men, he entered Algiers, made himself master of 
the town, assassinalc-d Selim, and had himself proclaimed 
king in his stead ; and thus was established that *nest of 
pirates, fresh swarms from which never ceased to annoy 
Christian commerce and enslave Christian mariners, until 
its late final desuuction, by the French expexiition in 
1S30. 

In a piratical career of many centuries, the countless 


BABLBARITIES OF THE ALGERWXS. 


sfy? 

thousands who have been taken, enslaved, and perished in 
bondage by these monsters should lon^ ago have drawn 
ujHjii tiieiD the united vengeance ot all Christendooi. 
Many a youth of family and fortune, of delicate constita- 
tiMO has been captured a=.d sqU in the slave markeL His 
labor through the long hot days would be to cleanse out 
tlie foul bed of some large empty reservcnr, where he would 
be made to strip, and descending in^o the pood, bring op 
in his arms the black stinking mud, heaped up and pressed 
against h:s bosom ; or to lab'H- in drawing huge blocks of 
stone to build the mole; or in bail ling and repairing the 
fortihcations, with numer >as other painful and disgusting 
tasks. The only food was a scanty supply of Mack bread, 
and occasionally a few decayed oli%'es, or sheep which 
had died from some disorder. At night they were crowded 
into that most horrid of prisons tiie Bagnio, to sleep on a 
little filthy straw*, amidst the most noisome stenches. 
Their limbs in chains, and often receiving the lash. Occa- 
sionally an individual would be rausomed ; when his story 
would draw tears of pity fi-om all who heard it. Ladies 
were frequently taken by these monsters and treated in the 
most inhuman manner. And sometimes whole families 
were enslaved. Numerous &cls, of the most heartrending 
description are on record : but our limits oblige us to be 
brief. 

A Spanish lady, tlk: wife of an officer, with her a 
youth of fourteen, and her daughter, siv years oia, were 
taken in a Spanish vessel by the A gerines. The barbarians 
treated her and both her children with the greatest inhu- 
manity. The eldest they kept in cha'ms ; and the defence- 
less little one they wantonly treated so ill, that the nnhappy 
mother was ofttm nearly deprived of her reason at the 
blows her infant received from these wretches, who plun- 
dered them of every thing. They kept them many days 
at sea on hard and scanty (are, covered only with a few 
soiled ra^s ; and in this .state brought them to Algiers. 
Thev had bwn long confined in a dreadful dungeon in the 
Bagnio where the slaves are kept, when a messenger was 
sent to the Aga, or Captain of the Bagnio, for a female 
slave. It fortunately fell to the lot of the Spanish lady, but 
at the instant when she was embracing her son, who was 
34 


393 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


tearing himself from h’" mother with haggard and disordered 
looks, to go to his iiroerious drivers ; and while in despair 
she gazed on her littiv. worn-out infant, she lieard herself 
summoned to attend the guard of the prison to a family that 
had sent for a female slave. She obtained permission to 
take her little daughter with her. She dreaded being 
refused, and sent back to the horrid dungeon she was leav- 
ing where no difference was paid to rank, and slaves of all 
conditions were huddled together. She went therefore 
prepared to accept of anything short of these sufferings. 
She was refused, 'as being in every respect opposite to the 
description of the person sent for. At length her entrea- 
ties and tears prevailed ; compassion over-ruled every 
obstacle ; and she, with her little girl, was accepted. But 
there remained another difficulty ; she had left her son 
chained in the midst of that dungeon from which she had 
just been rescued. Her kind patrons soon learned the 
cause of her distress ; but to send for the youth and treat 
him kindly, or in any way above that of a common slave, 
must hazard the demand of so large a ransom for him and 
his mother, as would forever preclude the hope of liberty. 
He was. however, sent for, and the menial offices they were 
both engaged to perform were only nominal. With cir- 
cumspection the whole family were sheltered in this man- 
ner for three years ; when the war with the Spaniards 
growing more inveterate, the Algerines demanded the youth 
back to the Bagnk), to work in common with the other 
slaves, in repairing the damages done to the fortresses by 
the Spanish cannon. He w^as now compelled to go, loaded 
with heavy stones, through the whole -of the town ; and at 
almost every step he received dreadful blows, not being 
able to hasten his pace from the great weight. 

Overcome at last' with ill usage, the delicacy of his form 
and* constitution gave way to the excessive labor, and he 
one morning refused the orders of his master, or driver, to 
rise from the straw on which he was stretched, declaring 
they might kill him if they chose, for he would not even 
try to carry another load of stones. Repeated messages 
had been sent from the Venetian consul’s, where his mother 
and sister were sheltered, to the Aga, to return him ; and 
when the Algerines found that they had absolutely reduced 


ESCAPE OF FOUR CHRISTIANS. 


399 


Aim so near death, they thought it best to spare his life for 
the sake of future ransom. They agreed, therefore, to let 
him return to the Christians. His life was for some time 
despaired of; but through the kind attention he received, 
he was rescued from the threatened dissolution. His re- 
covery was concealed, for fear of his being demanded back 
to work ; and a few months after, the Spanish peace of 
1784 being concluded, a ransom was accepted by the 
Algerines for this suffering family, and they were set at 
liberty. 

These pirates in old times extended their depredations 
into the Atlantic as far as the British Channel. They 
swarmed in the IVlediterranean, not only belonging to 
Algiers, but Tunis, and other ports on the coast of Bar bary. 
Their corsairs making descents on the coasts of those 
countries which border on the Mediterranean, pillaging the 
villages and carrying off the inhabitants into slavery. The 
corsairs were vessels of different descriptions ; some large 
armed ships, and latterly frigates; others were row gailies 
and the various craft used by the nations which navigate 
that sea, and had been taken by them and added to their 
marine. Upon the slaves being landed at Algiers they 
were marched to the Dey’s or Bashaw’s palace, when he 
selected the number which according to law belonged to 
him ; and the rest were sold in the slave market to the 
highest bidder. A moiety of the plunder, cargoes and 
vessels taken also belonged to the Dey. Occasionally, a 
person by pretending to renounce his religion, and turning 
Mahomedan would have his sufferings mitigated. 

The most desperate attempts were sometimes made to 
effect an escape from these ruthless monsters, which occa- 
sionally succeeded. 

In 1644 William Oakley and four companions escaped 
from Algiers, in a most miraculous manner, in a canvas 
boat. There was at this time an English clergyman, Mr. 
Sprat, in captivity, and the wretched slaves had the privi- 
lege of meeting in a cellar, where he would pray with them. 

Oakley had got into the good graces of his master, and 
was allowed his time by giving his master two dollars a 
month. He traded in tobacco and a few trifling articles, 
so that a strict watch w as not kept on his movements. He 


400 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


conceived the project of making a canvas boat. He sa}>* 
I now first opened niy design to my comrades, inform 
ing them, that 1 had contrived the model of a boat, which 
being formed in pieces, and afterwards put tc»getlier. 
might be the means of our deliverance. They greedily 
grasped at the prospect ; but cooler reflection pointed out 
difliculties innumerable : some of them started objections 
which they thought insuperable, and these I endeavored 
to overrule. 

We began our work in the cellar which had served fo/ 
our devotions, though it was not the sanctity of the place, 
but its privacy, tliat induced us to this selection. We 
first provided a piece of wood, twelve feet long, and, that 
it might escape observation, it was cut in two, being joint- 
ed in the middle. Next we procured the timbers or ribs, 
which, to avoid the same hazard, w'ere in three pieces 
each, and jointed in two places. The flat side of one 
of the two pieces was laid over the other, and two 
holes bored in every joint to receive nails ; so that when 
united, each joint would make an obtuse angle, and ap- 
proach towards a semicircular figure, as we required. We 
had, in the formation of an external covering, to avoid 
hammering and nailing, which would have made such a 
noise in the cellar as to attract the notice of the Alge- 
rines, w'ho are insufferably suspicious about their wives 
and slaves. Therefore, we provided as much canvas as 
would cover the boat twice over, and as much pitch, tar and 
tallow, as w'ould make it a kind of tar[)aulin ; as also earth- 
en pots in w hich to melt our materials. The two carpen- 
ters and myself were appointed to this service in the cel- 
lar. We stopped up all chinks and crevices, that the 
fumes of these substances might not betrav us. J3ut wc 
had not been long at w'ork, w^hen tlie smell of the nit king 
materials overcame me, and obliged me to go into the 
streets gasping for breath, wdiere meeting with the coo! 
air, I swooned away, and broke my face in the fall. My 
companions, finding me in this plight, carried me back, 
extremely sick and unserviceable. Before long, I heard 
one of them complain of sickness, and thus he could 
proceed no further ; therefore, I saw if we abandoned our 
project this night, it might not be resumed, which made 


INGENIOUS CONSTRUCTION OF A COAT. 


401 


me resolve to set the cellar door wide open, while I stood 
sentinel to give notice of approaching danger. In this 
way we finished tlie whole, 'and then carried it to my shop, 
which was about a f’urlon<)f di.-tant. 

Every thing was fitted in the cellar, the timbers to the 
keel, the canvas to the timbers, and the seats to tlje whole; 
and then all were taken to pieces again. It was a matter 
of difficulty, however, to get the pieces conveyed out of the 
city ; but William Adams carried the keel, and hid it at 
the bottom of a hedge : the rest was carried away with 
similar precautions. As 1 w'a?s carrying a piece of canvas, 
which we had bought for a sail, I looked back, and dis- 
covered the same spy, who had formerly given us much 
trouble, following behind. This gave me no small con- 
cern ; but, observing an Englishman washing clothes by 
the sea side, 1 desired his help in w^asliing the canvas. 
Just as we w'ere engaged w ith it, the spy came up, and 
stood on a rock e.vactly over our heads, to watch us. 
Therefore, to delude him, I took the canvas and spread it 
before liis face on the top of the rock to dry ; he staid his 
own time, and then marched of!'. Still I was jealous of his 
intentions, which induced me to carry the canvas, when 
dry, straight back to the city, an incident that greatly dis- 
couraged my comrades. We also procured a small quan- 
tity of provisions, and two goat skins full of fresh water. 

In the mean time, I paid my patron my wonted visits, 
kept up a fair correspondence, and duly gave him his de- 
mands ; while I secretly turned all my goods to ready 
money as fast as I could, and putting it into a trunk with 
a false bottom, 1 committed it to the charge of Mr. Sprat 
who faithfully preserved it for me. 

The place which we chose for joining the boat together 
was a hill about half a mile from the city, thinking by that 
means the better to descry the approach of danger. When 
the pieces were united, and the canvas drawn on, four of 
our number carried the boat down to the sea, where, 
stripping ourselves naked, and putting our clothes within, 
we carried it as far as we could wade, lest it might be in- 
jured by the stones or rocks near the shore. But we soon 
discovered that our calculations of lading were erroneous ; 
for no sooner had wo embarked, than the* water came in 
34* 


402 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


over the sides, and she was like to sink ; so that some new 
device became necessary. At last, one whose heart most 
failed him was willing to be excluded, and wished raihek 
to hazard the uncertain torments of land, than the certain- 
ty of being drowned at sea. However the boat was still 
80 deeply laden, that we all concluded that it was impossi- 
ble to venture to sea. At length another went ashore, 
and she held her head stoutly, and seemed sufficiently ca- 
pable of our voyage. 

Taking a solemn farewell of our two companions left 
behind, and wishing them as much happiness as could be 
hoped for in slavery, and they to us as long life as could 
be expected by men going to their graves, we launched 
out on the 30th of June 1644, a night ever to be remem- 
bered. Our company consisted or John Anthony, Wil- 
liam Adams, John Jephs", John the carpenter and myself. 
We now put to sea, without helm, tackle, or compass. 
Four of us continually labored at the oars; the employ- 
ment of the fifth was baling out the water that leaked 
through the canvas. We struggled hard the first night to 
get out of the reach of our old masters ; but when the day 
broke, we were still within sight of their ships in the ha- 
ven and road-stead. Yet, our boat being small, and ly 
ing close and snug upon the sea, either was not discos • 
ered at all, or else seemed something that was not worth 
taking up. 

On all occasions we found our want of foresight, for 
now the bread which had lain soaking in the salt water, 
was quite spoiled, and the tanned skins imparted a nause- 
ous quality to the fresh water. So long as bread was 
bread, we made no complaints ; with careful economy it 
lasted three days, but then pale famine, which is the 
most horrible shape in which death can be painted, began 
to stare us in the face. The expedients on which we fell 
to assuage our thirst rather inflamed it, and several things 
added to our distress. For some time the wind was right 
against u^ ; our labour was incessant, for, although much 
rowing did not carry us forwaid, still, cessation of it drove 
us back ; and the season was raging hot, which rendered 
our toil insupportable. One small alleviation we had in 
the man whose province it was to bale the water out oi 


LIFE PROVIDENTIALLY SUSTAINED. 403 

the boat; he threw it on our bodies to cool them. How- 
ever, what with the scorching of the sun and cooling of 
the water, our skin was blistered all over. By day we 
were stark naked; by night we had on shirts or loose 
coats ; for we had left our clothing ashore, on purpose to 
lighten the boat. 

One of our number had a pocket dial, wliich supplied 
the place of a compass ; and, to say the truth, was not ill 
befitting such a vessel and such mariners. By its aid we 
steered our course by day, while the stars served as a 
guide by night ; and, if they were obscured, we guessed 
our way by the motion of the clouds. In this woful plight 
we continued four days and nights. On the fifth day we 
v;ere at the brink of despair, and abandoned all hopes ol 
safety. Thence we ceased our labdr, and laid aside our 
oars ; for, either we had no strength left to use them, or 
were reluctant to waste the little we had to no purpose. 
Still we kept emptying the boat, loth to drown, loth to 
die, yet knowing no means to avoid death. 

They that act least commonly wish the most ; and, 
when we had forsaken useful labor, we resorted to fruitless 
wishes — that we might be taken up by some ship, if it 
were but a ship, no matter of what country. 

While we lay hulling up and down, our hopes at so low 
an ebb, we discovered a tortoise, not far from us, asleep in 
the sea. Had the great Drake discovered the Spanish 
plate fleet, he could not have been more rejoiced. Once 
again we bethought ourselves of our oars, and silently 
rowing to our prey, took it into the boat in great triumph. 
Having cutoff its head., and let it bleed in a vessel, we 
drank the blood, ate the liver, and sucked the flesh. Our 
strength and spirits were wonderfully refreshed, and our 
work was vigorously renewed. Leaving our fears behind 
us, we began to gather hope, and, about noon, discovered, 
or thought that we discovered, land. It is impossible to 
describe our joy and triumph on this occasion. It was 
new life to us ; it brought fresh blood into our veins, and 
fresh vigor into our pale checks : we looked like persons 
raised from the dead. After further exertion, becoming 
more confident, we were at last fully satisfied that it was 
land. Now, like distracted persons, we all leapt into the 


THE ALGEPINE PIRATES. 


4()A 

sea, and, b(3ing good swimmers, cooled our parched bod 
ICS never considering that we might become a ready prey 
to the sharks, liut vve presently returned to our boat, and 
Iroin being weaned witli the exertion, and somewhat 
cooled by the sea, lay down to sleep witli as much security 
as if It had been m our beds. It was fortunalelv of such 
short duration that tiie leaking of the boat occasioned no 
danger. 

Kelreshed by sleep, we found new slrengtli for our 
work, and tugged hard at the oar, in hopes of reachma a 
more stable element before night. But our progress was very 
slow Towards evening an island was discovered, which 
was hromentere, having already seen Majorca; at least, 
some of our company, who had navigated these seas, de- 
clared that It was so. We debated long to wiiich of the 
two our course should be directed ; and, because the la^t 
discovered was much infested with venomous serpents, 
we all resolved to make for Majorca. The whole of that 
night we row'ed very ha?d, and also the next, beinof the 
sixth from our putting to sea. The island was in siglit all 
day, and about ten at night w^e came under the land, but 
it consisted of rocks so steep and craggy that we could 
not chmb up. 

Whilst under these rocks a vessel approached very near. 
Let the reader conceive our apprehensions, after 'all our 
toil and labor, of being seized by some Turkish privateer, 
such as are never oil the seas. Thus we w^ere obli'^ed to 
lie close; and, when die vessel had passed, we crept gently 
along the coast, as near as we dur t to the shore, until 
hndmg a suitable place to receive our weather-beaten boat. 

We weie not insensible of our deliverance on reaching 
land; though, like men just aw'akened from a dream, we 
could not duly appreciate the greatness of it. Having had 
no food since we got the tortoise, John Anthony and nn - 
solf set out in search of fresh w'ater, and three remained 
with the boat. Before proceeding far, we found ourselves 
in a wood, which created great embarrassment. My com- 
rade wished to go one way, and I wished to go another. 
How frail and impotent a being is man ! That we, whom 
common dangers by sea had united, should now fall out 
about our own inclinations at land. Yet so we did. He 


The fugitives from Algerine Slavery slaking .their thirst at a well on the Spanish coast, p. 407 



I 








HAPPY DELIVERANCE. 


407 


gave me reproachful words ; and it is well that we did not 
come to blows, but I went my way, and he, seeing me re- 
solute, followed. The path led to one of those watch- 
towers which the Spaniards keep on the coast to give time- 
ly notice of the approach of privateers. Afraid of being 
fired on, we called to the sentinel, informing him who we 
were, and earnestly requesting him to direct us to fresh 
water, and to give us some bread. He very kindly threw 
down an old mouldy cake, and directed us to a well close 
at hand. We drank a little water, and ate a bit of th-i 
cake, which vve had difficulty in swallowing, and then has- 
tened to return to our companions in the boat, to acquaint 
them with our success. 

Though now necessary to leave the boat, we did not d€ 
it without regret; but this was lulled by the importunate 
cravings of hunger and thirst; therefore, making her fast 
ashore, we departed. Advancing, or rather crawling to- 
wards the well, another quarrel rose among us, the remem- 
brance of which is so ungrateful that I shall bury it in si- 
lence, the best tomb for controversies. One of our com- 
pany, William Adams, in attempting to drink, was unable 
to swallow the water, and sunk to the ground, faintly ex- 
claiming, “ I am a dead man !” After much straining and 
forcing, he, at length, got a little over ; and when we 
were all refreshed with the cake and water, we lay down 
by the side of the well to wait for morning. 

When it was broad day, we once more applied to the 
sentinel, to point out the way to the nearest house or 
town, which he did, directing us to a house about two 
miles distant; but our feet were so raw and blistered by 
the sun that it was long before we could get this short 
journey over ; and then, the owners of the house, conclu- 
ding from our garb that we came with a pilfering design, 
presented a fowling-piece, charging us to stand. The 
first of our number, who could speak the language of the 
country, mildly endeavored to undeceive him, saying, we 
were a company of poor creatures, whom the wonderful 
providence of God had rescued from the slavery of Al- 
giers, and hoped that he would show mercy to our afflic- 
tions. The honest farmer, moved with our relation, sent 
out bread, water and olives. After refreshing ourselves 


103 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


with these, we lay down and rested three or four hours in 
the held; and, having given h.rn thanks for his charity, 
prepared to crawl away. Pleesed with our gratitude, he 
called us into his house, and gave us good warm bean pot- 
tage, which to me seemed the best food I had ever ate. 
Again taking leave, we advanced towards Majorca, which 
was about ten miles distant. 

Next morning we arrived m the suburbs, wheie the 
singularity of our attire, being barefoot and bare legged, 
and having nothing on except loose shirts, drawn over our 
coats, attracted a crowd of enqnirers. We gave a circum- 
stantial account of our deliverance; and, as tfiey were 
willing to contribute to our relief, they supplied us with 
food, wine, strong waters, and whatever else might reno- 
vate our exhausted spirits. They said, however, that we 
must remain in the suburbs until the viceroy had notice of 
our arrival. We were called before him, and when he 
had heard the account of our escape and dangers, he or- 
dered us to be maintained at his expense until we should 
obtain a passage to our own country ; and, in the mean- 
time, the people collected money to buy clothes and 
shoes. 

From Majorca they proceeded to Cadiz, and from thence 
to England, which they reached in safety. 

Several expeditions at difterent periods were fitted out 
by diflerent European nations to chastise the pirates. The 
Emperor, Charles V., in the plenitude of his power, sailed 
with a formidable armament in the year 1541, and effected 
a landing. Without doubt he would have taken the city, 
if a terrible storm had not risen, which destroyed a great 
part of his fleet, and obliged him to re-embark with his 
shattered forces in the greatest precipitation. The exulta- 
tion of the Algerines was unbounded ; they now looked 
on themselves as the special favorites of heaven ; the most 
powerful army which had ever attempted their subjection 
had returned with the loss of one third of their number, 
and a great part of its ships and transports. Prisoners 
had been taken in such abundance, that to show their 
worthlessness, they were pu!)licly sold in the market-place 
at Algiers, at an onion a head. 

For nearly a century after this, little occurs of note in 


BOMBARDMENT OF ALGIERS. 


409 


Algerine history except a constant system of piracy. In 
1655 the British Admiral Blake gave them a drubbing. 

The French were the next to attack these common ene- 
mies of Europe. Admiral Duguesne commanded the ex- 
pedition, and after bombarding the place a short time, the 
Dey himself soon began to be terrified at the destruction 
these new engines of naval war made, when an unfavora- 
ble wind arising, compelled the fleet to make all sail for 
Toulon. 

Relieved from the terror of immediate destruction, the 
Algerines returned to their old ways, making descents on 
the coast of Provence, where they committed the most 
dreadful ravages, killing, burning and destroying all that 
came in their way. The Dey also recovered, not only his 
courage, but his humor ; for learning what a large sum the 
late expedition against his city had cost, he sent to say, 
“ that if Louis would give liim half the money, he would 
undertake to burn the whole city to please him.” The 
French accordingly sent a new expedition under the same 
officers the next year. Duguesne again sailed, and in front 
of the city was joined by the Marquis D’Affranville, at the 
head of five other stout ships. A council of war was held, 
and an immediate attack resolved upon, in consequence of 
which, the vessels having taken up their stations, a hun 
dred bombs were thrown into the town during that day, 
and as many more on the following night, when the town 
was observed to be on fire in several places ; the Dey’s pa- 
lace, and other public buildings were in ruins ; some of the 
batteries were dismounted, and several vessels sunk in the 
fort. This speedy de.struction soon determined the Dey 
and Janissaries to sue for peace ; and a message to this ef- 
fect was sent to Duguesne, who consented to cease firing, 
but refused to negociate regarding terms, until all the cap- 
tives taken fighting under the French flag were given up 
as a preliminary step. This was agreed to, and one hun- 
dred and forty-two prisoners immediately sent off*. In the 
mean time the soldiery becoming furious, assassinated the 
Dey and elected a new one, who ordered the flag to^ be 
hoisted on the city walls. Hostilities were now renewed 
with greater fury than before, and the French admiral threw 
such volleys of bombs into the city, that in less than three 
35 2b 


410 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


days the greatest part of it was reduced to ashes ; and the 
lire burnt with such vehemence that the bay was illumi- 
nated to the distance of two or three leagues. Rendered 
desperate by the carnage around him, the new Dey ordered 
all the French captives who had been collected into the 
city to be cruelly murdered, and binding Father Vacher, 
the French President, hand and foot, had him tied to a 
mortar and fired off like a bomb against the French fleet 
This wanton piece of atrocity so exasperated Duguesne, 
that, laying his fleet as near land as possible, he continued 
his cannonade until he had destroyed all their shipping, for- 
tifications, buildings ; in short, almost the whole of the 
lower town, and about two-thirds of the upper; when 
finding nothing else which a naval force could do, and 
being unprovided for a land expedition, he stood out lei- 
surely to sea, leaving the Algerines to reflect over the sad 
consequences of their obstinacy. For several years after 
this they kept in the old piratical track ; and upon the 
British consuls making a complaint to the Dey, on occa- 
sion of one of his coarsairs having captured a vessel, he 
openly replied, “It is all very true, but what would you 
have } the Algerines are a company of rogues, and I am 
their captain.” 

To such people force was the argument ; and in 1700 
Capt. Beach, falling in with seven of their frigates, attacked 
them, drove them on shore, and burnt them. Expeditions at 
various times were sent against them, but w'ithout effecting 
much ; and most of the maritime nations paid them tri- 
bute. But a new power was destined to spring up, from 
w'hich these pirates were to receive their first check ; that 
power was the United States of America. 

In 179*2 his corsairs, in a single cruise, swept off ten 
American vessels, and sent their crews to the Bagnio, so 
that there were one hundred and fifteen in slavery. 

Negotiations w^ere at once set on foot ; the Dey’s de- 
mands had of course risen in proportion to the number of 
his prisoners, and the Americans had not only to pay ran- 
som at a high rate, with presents, marine stores, and yearly 
tribute, but to build and present to the Dey, as a propitia- 
tory offering, a thirty-six gun frigate ; so that the whole 
expenses fell little short of a million of dollars, in return 


FIRST AMERICAN FLAG IN THE BOSPHORUS. 411 

for which they obtained liberty for their captives, protection 
for their merchant vessels, and the right of free trade with. 
Algiers. The treaty was signed September bth*, 1795; and 
from that time, up to 1812, the Dey continued on toleiable 
good terms with Gsngress ; indeed, so highly was he pleased 
with them, in 1800, that he signified '«.o the consul hi? 
intention of sending an ambassador to the ?orte, with tho 
customary presents, in the Washington, a small Americar 
frigate, at that time lying in the harbor of Algiers. In 
vain the consul and captain remonstrated, and represented 
that they had no authority to send the vessel on such a 
mission ; they were silenced by the assurance that it was a 
particular honor conferred on them, which the Dey had 
declined offering to any of the English vessels then in 
harbor, as he was rather angry with that nation. The 
Washington was obliged to be prepared for the service ; 
the corsair flag, bearing the turbaned head of Ali, was run 
up to her main top, under a salute of seven guns ; and in 
this respectable plight she sailed up the Mediterranean, 
dropped anchor before the seven towers, where, having 
landed her cargo, she was permitted to resume her own 
colors, and was thus the first vessel to hoist the American 
Union in the Thracian Bosphorus. 

In 1812, however, the Dey,. finding '.his funds at alow 
ebb, and receiving from all quarters reports that a wealthy 
American commerce was afloat, determined on trying them 
with a new war. He was peculiarly unfortunate in the 
time chosen, as the States, having about a month previously 
declared war wfith Great Britain, had, in fact, withdrawn 
most of the merchant ships from the sea, so that the only 
prize which fell into the hands of the Dey’s cruizers was a 
small brig, with a crew of eleven persons. The time at 
length came for putting an end to these *la\/less depreda- 
tions, and peace having been concluded with England, 
President Madison, in 1815, despatched an American 
squadron, under commodores Bainbridge and Decatur, with 
Mr. Shaler, as envoy, on board, to demand full satisfaction 
for all injuries done to American subjects, the immediate 
release of such as w’ere captives, the restitution of their 
property, with an assurance that no future violence should 
be offered, and also to negotiate the preliminaries of a 


412 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


treaty on terms of perfect equal ty, no proposal of tribute 
being at all adm ssible. The s<juadron readied its destina- 
tion early in June, and, having castured an Algerine frigate 
and br.g of-war, suddenly aj^peared before Algiers, at a 
moment when all the cruizers were at sea, and delivered, 
for the consideration of the Div :n, the terms on which the) 
w'ere commissioned to make peace, together with a letter 
from the President to the Dey. Confounded by the sudden 
and entirely unexpected appearance of this force, the 
Algerines agreed, on the 30ih of June, to the proposals of 
a treaty, almost w ithout discussion. 

It had long been a reproach to Great Britain, the mistress 
of the sea, that she had tamely suffered a barbarian pow’er 
to commit such atrocious ravages on the fleets and shores 
of the minor states along the Mediterranean. At length 
a good cause was made for chastising them. 

At Bona, a few miles to the east of Algiers, w’as an 
establishment for carrying on a coral fishery, under the 
protection of the British flag, which, at the season, w'as 
frequented by a great number of boats from the Corsican, 
Neapolitan, and other Italian ports. On the 23d of May, 
the feast pf Ascension, as the crews of all the boats were 
preparing to hear mass, a gun was fired from the castle, 
and at the same time appeared about tw’6 thou-ai^d, other 
accounts say four thousand, infantry and cavalry, consisting 
of Turks, Levanters, and Moors. A part of these troops 
proceeded towards the country, whilst another band ad- 
vanced towards the river, where the fishing boats were 
lying at different distances from the sea ; and opening a fire 
upon the unfortunate fishermen, who were partly on board 
and partly on land, massacred almost the whole of them. 
They then seized the English flags, tore them in pieces, 
and trampling them under foot, dragged them along the 
ground in triumph.. The men w'ho happened to be in the 
country saved themselves by flight, and declared that they 
saw' the soldiers pillage the house of the British vice-consul, 
the magazines containing the provisions, and the coral that 
had been fished up. A few boats escaped, and brought 
the news to Genoa, whence it was transmitted by the agent 
of Lloyd’s in a despatch, dated June 6th. 

No sooner had the account of this atrocious slaughter 


LORD EX3IOUTH BEFORE ALGIERS. 413 

reached England, than all ranks seemed inflamed with a 
desire that a great and signal punishment should be taken 
on this barbarian priiiee, who was neither restrained by the 
feelings of humanity nor bound by treaties. An expedition, 
therefore, was fitted out with all speed at Portsmouth, ani 
the command intrusted to Lord Exmouth, who, after some 
delays from contrary winds, finally sailed, July 28th, with a 
fleet complete in all points, consisting of his own ship, the 
Queen Charlotte, one hundred and twenty guns ; the 
Impregnable, rear admiral Sir David Milne, ninety guns ; 
the Minden, Superb, Albion, each seventy-four guns ; the 
Leander fifty guns, with four more frigates and brigs, 
bombs, fire-ships, and several smaller vessels, well supplied, 
in addition to the ordinary means of warfare, with Con 
greve rockets, and Shrapnell shells, the destructive powers 
of which have lately been abundantly proved on the con 
tinent. August 9, the fleet anchored at Gibraltar, and was 
there joined by the Dutch admiral, Van Cappillen, com- 
manding five frigates and a corvette, who had been already 
at Algiers, endeavoring to deliver slaves : but being refused, 
and finding his force insufficient, had determined on joining 
himself with the English squadron, which it was understood 
was under weigh. Meanwhile, the Prometheus, Captain 
Dash wood, had been sent forward to Algiers to bring off* 
the British consul and family ; but could only succe^ in 
getting his wife and daughter, who were obliged to make 
their escape, disguised in midshipmen’s uniform ; for the 
Dey, having heard through some French papers of the 
British expedition, had seized the consul, Mr. Macdonnell, 
and put him in chains; and, hearing of the escape of his 
wife, immediately ordered the detention of two boats of the 
Prometheus, which happened to be on shore, and made 
slaves of the crews, amounting to eighteen men. This 
new outrage was reported to Lord Exmouth soon after 
leaving Gibraltar, and of course added not a little to his 
eagerness to reach Algiers. He arrived off* Algiers on the 
morning of the 27th of August, and sent in his interpreter, 
Mr. Salame, w’ith Lieutenant Burgess, under a flag ot truce, 
bearing a letter for the Dey, demanding reparation. 

Meantime, a light breeze sprung up, and the fleet ad- 
vanced into the bay, and lay to, at about a mile off* Algiers 
35 * 


414 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


“ It was now,” says Mr. Salame, in his entertaining narra* 
tive, “ half-past two, and no’ answer coming out, notwith- 
standing we had staid half an hour longer than our 
instructions, and the fleet being almost opposite the town, 
with a fine breeze, we thought proper, after having done 
our duty, to lose no more time, but to go on board, and 
Liform his lordship of what had happened. 

“ Mr. Burgess, the flag-lieutenant, having agreed with 
me, we hoisted the signal, that no answer had been given^ 
and began to row away towards the Queen Charlotte. 
After I had given our reports to the admiral, of our meeting 
the captain of the port, and our waiting there, (fee. I was 
quite surprised to see how his lordship was altered from 
w'hat I left him in the morning ; for 1 knew his manner was 
in general very mild, and now he seemed tome all-fightful, 
as a fierce lion, which had been chained in its cage, and 
was set at liberty. With all that, his lordship’s answ’er to 
me was, ‘Never mvid, we shall see now;' and at the same 
time he turned towards the officers, saying, ‘ Be ready' 
whereupon I saw every one with the match or the string 
of the lock in his hand, most anxiously expecting the wmrd 
‘Fire!'" 

No sooner had Salaine returned, than his lordship made 
the signal to know whether all the ships were ready, which 
being answered in the affirmative, he directly turned the 
head of the Queen Charlotte towards shore, and, to the 
utter amazement of the Algerines, ran across all the bat- 
teries without firing or receiving a single shot, until he 
brought up within eighty yards of the south end of the 
mole, w here he lashed her to the mainmast of an Algerine 
brig, w’hich he had taken as his direction, and had then the 
pleasure of seeing all the re.^t of the fleet, including the 
Dutch frigates, taking Aip their assigned stations with the 
same precision and regularity. The position in which the 
Queen Charlotte was laid was so admirable that she was 
only exposed to the fire of three or four flanking guns, 
while her broadside swept the whole batteries, and com- 
pletely commanded the mole and marine, every part of 
W'hich could be seen distinctly from her quarter-deck. Cp 
to this moment not a shot had been fired, and the batteries 
were all crowded with spectators, gazing in astonishment 


STATION OF THE ^UEEN CHARLOTTE. 415 

at the quiet and regularity which prevailed through all the 
British ships, and the dangerous vicinity in which they 
placed themselves to such formidable means of defence. 
Lord Exmouih, therefore, began to conceive hopes that his 
demands would still be granted ; but the delay, it appeared, 
was caused by the Algerines being completely unprepared 
for so very sudden an approach, insomuch that their guns 
were not shotted at the moment when the Queen Charlotte 
swept past them, and they were distinctly seen loading 
them as the other ships were coming into line. Anxious, 
if -possible, to spare unnecessary effusion of blood, his 
lordship, standing on the quarter-deck, repeatedly waved 
his hat as a warning to the multitudes assembled on the 
mole to retire, but his signal was unheeded, and at a quar- 
ter before three in the afternoon the first gun was fired at 
the Queen Charlotte from the eastern battery, and two 
more at the Albion and Superb, which were following. 
“Then Lord Exmouth, having seen only the smolce of the 
gun, before the sound reached him, said, with great alacrity, 
* That will do ; fire my fine fellows V and I am sure that 
before his lordship had finished these words, our broadside 
was given with great cheering, which was fired three times 
within five or six minutes; and at the same time the other 
ships did the same. This first fire was so terrible, that 
they say more than five hundred persons were killed and 
wounded by it. And I believe this, because there was a 
great crowd of people in every part, many of whom, after 
the first discharge, I saw running away, under the walls, 
like dogs, walking upon their feet and hands. 

“After the attack took place on both sides in this horrible 
manner, immediately the sky was darkened by the smoke, 
the sun completely eclipsed, and the horizon became 
dreary. Being exhausted by the heat of that powerful sun, 
to which I was exposed the whole day, and my ears being 
deafened by the roar of the guns, and finding myself in the 
dreadful danger of such a terrible engagement, in which I 
had never been before, I was quite at, a loss, and like an 
astonished or stupid man, and did not know myself where 
1 was. At last his lordship, having perceived my situation, 
said, ‘You have done your duty, now go below.’ Upon 
which I began to descend from the quarter-deck, quite 


416 


TtlE ALGEftlNE PlilATES. 

confounded and terrified, and not sure that I should reach 
the cock-pit alive ; for it was most tremendous to hear the 
crasiiing of the shot, to see the wounded men brought from 
one pait, and the killed from the other; and especially, at 
such a tifne, to be found among the English seamen', and 
to witness their manners, their activity, their courage, and 
their cheerfulness during the battle ! — it is really most 
overpowering and beyond’irnagination.” 

The battle continued to rage furiously, and the havoc 
on both sides was very great. There were some awl’ul 
moments, particularly when Algerine vessels so near our 
line were set on fire. I'he olficers surrounding Lord 
Exmouth hcjid been anxious for permission to make an 
attempt upon the outer frigate, distant about a hundred 
yards. Pie at length consented, and Major Gossett, of the 
corps of marines, eagerly entreated and obtained permission 
to accompany Lieulenant Richards in the ship’s barge. 
The frigate was instantly boar^led, and, in ten minutes, in 
a perfect blaze. A gallant young midshipman, although 
forbidden, was h d by his too ardent spirit to follow in 
support of the barge, in which attempt he was desperately 
wounded, his brother officer killed, and nine of the crew. 
The barge, by rowing more rapidly, escaped better, having 
but one killed. 

About sunset the admiral received a message from rear- 
admiral Milne, stating h’s severe loss in killed and wounded, 
amounting to one hundred and fifty, and requesting that, 
if possible, a frigate might be sent him to take off some of 
the enemy's fire. The Glasgow accordingly was ordered 
to get under weigh, but the wind having been laid by the 
cannonade, she was obliged again to anchor, having ob- 
tained a rather more favorable position. The flotilla of 
mortar, gun, and rocket boats, under the direction of their 
Respective artillery officers, shared to the full extent of their 
powers the honors and. toils of this glorious day. It was 
by their fire that all the ships in the port (with the excep- 
tion of the outer frigate already mentioned) were in flames, 
which^ extending rapidly over the whole arsenal, gun-boats, 
and storehouses, exhibited a spectacle of awful grandeur 
and interest which no pen can describe. The sloops of 
war which had been appropriated to aid and assist tlie smps 


The Aigerincc* in the act of firing off the French consul from a mortar at the French fleet, p. 410, 








DESTRUCTION OF THE ALGERINE SHIPS. 4l9 

of the line, and prepare for their retreat, performed not 
only that duty well, but embraced every opportunity of 
firing through the inter\als, and were constantly in motion. 
The shells from the bombs were admirably well thrown b} 
the royal marine artillery, and, though directed over and 
and across our own men-of-war, did not produce a single 
accident. To complete the confusion of the enemy, the 
admiral now ordered the explosion ship, which had been 
charged for the occasion, to be brought within the mole ; 
but upon the representation of Sir David Milne that it 
would do him essential service, if made to act on the bat- 
tery in his front, it was towed to that spot, and blown up 
with tremendous effect. 

This was almost the final blow ; — the enemy’s fire had 
for some time been very slack, and was now almost wholly 
ceased, except that occasionally a few shots and shells were 
discharged from the higher citadel, upon which the guns 
of the fleet could not be brought to bear. The admiral, 
who from the commencement had been in the hottest of 
the engagement, and had fired until his guns were so hot 
that they could, some of them, not be used again ; now 
seeing that he had executed the most important part of his 
'nstructions, issued orders for drawing off* the fleet. This 
was commenced in excellent order about ten at night, and 
the usual breeze having set off from shore favored their 
manoeuvre, so that, all hands being employed in warping 
ind towing, the vessels were got safely into the bay, and 
anchored, beyond reach of shot, about two o’clock the next 
morning. 

So signal and well contested a victory could not have 
been gained without a considerable loss and suffering. It 
amounted in the English fleet, to one hundred and twenty- 
eight men killed, and six hundred and ninety wounded ; 
in the Dutch squadron, to thirteen killed, and fifty-two 
wounded ; grand total, eight hundred and eighty-three. 
But the enemy suffered much more severely ; they are 
computed to have lost, in killed and wounded, not less than 
between six and seven thousand men. The loss sustained 
by the Algerines by the destruction in the mole was four 
large frigates, of forty-four guns. Five large corvettes, 
from twenty-fbur to thirty guns. All the gun and mortar- 


420 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


boats, except seven ; thirty destroyed. Several mercliant 
brigs and schooners. A great number of small vessels of 
variou^ descriptions. All the pontoons, lighters, Slc. 
Store houses and arsenal, with all the timber, and various 
marine articles destroyed in part. A great many gun- 
carriages, mortar-beds, casks, and ships’ stores of all de- 
scriptions. 

Negotiations were immediately opened in form ; and on 
the 30th August the admiral published a notification to the 
fleet, that all demands had been complied with, the British 
consul had been indemnified for his losses, and the Dey, in 
presence of all his officers, had made him a |:)ublic apology 
for the insults offered him. On the 1st of September, Lord 
Exmouth had the pleasure of informing the secretary of 
the Admiralty, that all the slaves in the city of Algiers, 
and its immediate vicinity were embarked ; as also 357,000 
dollars for Naples, and 25,000 dollars for Sardinia. 

The number of slaves thus released amounted to one 
thousand and eighty-three, of whom four hundred and 
seventy-one were Neapolitans, two hundred and thirty-six 
Sicilians, one hundred and seventy-three Romans, six 
Tuscans, one hundred and sixty-one Spaniards, one 
Portuguese, seven Greeks, twenty-eight Dutch, and not 
one Englishman. Were there an action more than 
another on which an Englishman would willingly risk the 
fame and honor of his nation, it would be this attack on 
Algiers, which, undertaken solely at her own risk, and 
earned solely by the expenditure of her own blood and her 
own resources, rescued not a single subject of her own from 
the tyrant’s grasp, while it freed more than a thousand 
belonging to the other European powers. 

In August, 1816, the strength of Algiers seemed anni- 
hilated ; her w'alls were in ruins, her haughty flag was 
humbled to the dust; her gates lay open to a hostile powder, 
and terms were dictated in the palace of her princes. A 
year passed, the hostile squadron had left her ports, the 
clang of the workman’s hammer, the hum of busy men 
resounded through her streets, fresh walls had risen, new 
and more formidable batteries had been added ; again she 
resumed her attitude as of yore, bid defiance to her foes, 
and declared war on civilization : — again her blood-stained 


ALGIERS BLOCKADED BY THE FRENCH. 421 

corsairs swept the seas, eager for plunder, ready for com- 
bat ; — Christian commerce once more became shackled by 
her enterprize, and Christian captives once more sent up 
their cry for deliverance. In 1819, her piracies had become 
so numerous that the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle caused 
it to be notified to the Dey, that their cessation was re- 
au ved, and would be enforced, by a combined French and 
English squadron. His reply was brief and arrogant, and 
the admirals were obliged to leave without obtaining the 
least satisfaction. By menaces, however, accompanied by 
the presence of some cruizers, England, France, and the 
United States cau.^ed their flags to be respected. 

Ali, the successor of Omar, had died in 1818, and was 
succeeded by Hassein Pasha, who, from the commencement 
of his reign, evinced the strongest antipathy to the French 
power, in 1824, he imposed an arbitrary tax through all 
his provinces on French goods and manufactures ; the 
consul’s house was frequently entered and searched in a' 
vexatious manner, contrary to the express stipulations of 
treaties; and, finally, April, 1827, the consul himself, 
having gone at the feast of Bayram to pay his respects, 
was, upon a slight difference of opinion arising during 
their conversation, struck across the mouth with a fly-flap 
v/hich the Dey held in his hand, anH in consequence soon 
after left Algiers, while the Dey ordered the destruction of 
all the French establishments along the coast towards Bona, 
and oppressed in every manner the French residents within 
his dominions. A blockade was instantly commenced by 
the French, and maintained for nearly three years, until it 
was found that they suffered much more by it than the 
Dey, the expense having reached nearly £800,000 sterling, 
while he appeared no way inconvenienced by their efforts, 
and even treated them with such contempt as to order his 
forts to fire on the vessel of Admiral De la Bretonniere, 
who, in 1 829, had gone there under a flag of truce to make 
a final proposal of terms of accommodation. So signal a 
violation of the laws of nations could not be overlooked, 
even by the imbecile administration of Charles X. All 
France was in an uproar; the national flag had been dis- 
honored, and her ambassador insulted ; the cry for war 
became loud and universal ; conferences on the subject 
36 


422 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


were held ; the oldest and most experienced mariners wer3 
invited by the minister at war to assist in his deliberations; 
and an expedition was, naliy determined on in the month 
of February, 1830, to consist of about thirty-seven thousand 
men, a number which it was calculated would not only be 
sufficient to overcome all opposition which miglit be en 
countered, but to enable the French to reduce the kingdom 
to a province, and retain it in subjection for any length of 
time that might be considered advisable. No sooner was 
tliis decision promulgated, than all the necessary prepara- 
tions were commenced with the utmost diligence. It was 
now February, and the expedition was to embark by the 
end of April, so that no time could be lost. The arsenals, 
the naval and military workshops, were all in full employ- 
ment. Field and breaching batteries were mounted on a 
new principle lately adopted ; gabions, earth-bags, chevaiix- 
de-frisCf and projectiles were made in the greatest abund- 
ance ; maps, notes, and all the information that could be 
procured respecting Barbary were transmitted to the w'ar 
office, where their contents were compared and digested, 
and a plan of operations was drawn out. The commis- 
sariat were busied in collecting provisions, waggons, and 
fitting out an efficient hospital train ; a deputy-commissary 
was despatched to reconnoitre the coasts of Spain and the 
Balearic Islands, to ascertain what resources could be 
drawn from them, and negociate with the king for leave to 
establish military hospitals at Port Mahon. Eighteen reg- 
iments of the line, three squadrons of cavalry, and differ- 
ent corps of artillery and engineers were ordered to hold 
themselves in readiness; four hundred transports were 
assembled, and chartered by government in the port of 
Marseilles, w'hile the vessels of war, which were to form 
the convoy, w'ere appointed their rendezvous in the neigh- 
borhood of Toulon. After some hesitation as to who 
should command this important expedition, the Count de 
Bourmont, tlien minister at war, thought fit to appoint 
himself ; and his etat-major was soon complete, Desprez 
acting as chief, and Thdloze as second in command. 
Maubert de Ncuilly w^as chosen provost-marshal, De Bartil- 
lat (who afterwards wrote an entertaining account of the 
expedition) quarter-master general, and De Came commis' 


THE FRENCH EXPEDITION. 


423 


Bary general to the forces. In addition to these, there 
were about twenty aid-de-camps, orderlies, and young men 
of rank attached to the staff, together, with a Spanish gen- 
eral, an Cnglish colonel, a Russian colonel and lieutenant, 
and two Saxon officers, deputed by their respective govern 
ments. There were also a section of engineer-geographers, 
whose business was to survey and map the country as it 
was conquered, ‘‘and,’’ says M. Rozet, who was himself 
employed in the service we have just mentioned^ and to 
whose excellent work, written in that capacity, we are so 
much indebted, “ twenty-four interpreters, the half of whom 
knew neither French nor Arabic, were attached to the 
different corps of the army, in order to facilitate their, 
intercourse with the inhabitants.” As the minister had 
dotermined on risking his own reputation on the expedi- 
tion, the supplies were all, of course, of the cornpletest 
kind, and in the greatest abundance. Provisions for three 
months were ordered ; an equal quantity was to be for- 
warded as soon as the army had landed in Africa ; and, 
amongst the other materials furnished we observe, in look- 
ing over the returns, thirty wooden legs, and two hundred 
crutches, for the ;-elief of the unfortunate heroes, a boring 
apparatus to sink pumps, if water should run short, and a 
balloon, with two aeronauts, to reconnoitre the 'enemy’s 
position, in case, as was represented to be their wont, they 
should entrench themselves under the shelter of hedges 
and brushwood. 

The French effected a landing at Sidy-el-Ferruch, a 
small promontory, about five leagues to the west of Algiers, 
and half a league to the east of the river Massaffran, where 
it discharges itself into the bay. On the 14th of June they 
all landed without opposition. 

After a continued series of engagements and skirmishes 
the army got within cannon shot of Algiers, where they 
broke ground and began entrenching, and the French 
works being completed, the heavy breaching cannon were 
all mounted ; and at day-break on the 4th of July, General 
Lahitte, having assured himself by personal inspection that 
all was ready, ordered the signal rocket to be thrown, and 
at the same moment the whole French batteries opened 
their fire within point blank distance, and with a report 


424 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


which shook the whole of Algiers, and brought the garrison, 
who were little expecting so speedy an attack, running to 
their posts. artillery was admirably served, and from 

one battery which enliladed the fort, the balls were seen to 
sweep away at once an entire row of Algerine cannoneers 
from their guns. The Turks displayed the most undaunted 
courage ; they answered shot for shot, supplied with fresh 
men the places of such as were slain, stopped up with 
woolsacks the breeches made by the balls, replaced the 
cannon which the French fire had dismounted, and never 
relaxed their exertions for a moment. But the nature of 
their works was ill-calculated to withstand the scientific 
accuracy with which the besiegers made their attack. 
Every ball now told — the tower in the centre was com- 
pletely riddled by shots and shells ; the bursting of these 
latter had disabled great numbers of the garrison. By 
seven o’clock the besieged had begun to retire from the 
most damaged part of their works ; by half-past eight the 
whole outer line of defence was abandoned, and by nine 
the fire of the fort was extinct. The Turkish general, 
finding opposition hopeless, had sent to the Dey for com- 
mands ; and in reply was ordered to retreat with his whole 
remaining force to the Cassaubah, and leave three negroes 
to blow up the fort. The tranquillity with which they 
performed this fatal task deserves record. The French, 
finding the enemy’s fire to fail, directed all theirs towards 
effecting a practicable breach. The fort seemed to be 
abandoned ; — two red flags floated still on its outside line 
of defence, and a third on the angle towards the city. 
Three negroes were seen calmly walking on the ramparts, 
and from time to time looking over, as if to examine what 
progress the breach was making. One of them, struck by 
a cannon-ball, fell, and the others, as if to revenge his 
death, ran to a cannon, pointed it, and fired three shots. 
At the tliird, the gun turned over, and they were unable to 
replace it. They tried another, and as they were in the 
act of raising it, a shot swept the legs from under one of 
them. The remaining negro gazed for a moment on his 
comrade, drew him a little back, left him, and once more 
examined the breach. He then snatched one of the flags^ 
and retired to the interior of the tower ; in a few minutes 


ALGIERS IN THE POWER OF THE FRENCH. 425 

he re-appeared, took a second and descended. The French 
continued to cannonade, and the breach appeared almost 
practicable, when suddenly they were astounded by % 
terrific explosion, which shook the whole ground as with 
an earthquake ; an immense column of smoke, mixed with 
streaks of flame, burst from the centre of the fortress, 
masses of solid masonry were hurled into the air to an 
amazing height, while cannon, stones, timbers, projectiles, 
and dead bodies, were scattered in every direction — the 
negro had done his duty — the fort was blown up. 

In half an hour the French sappers and miners were at 
work repairing the smoking ruins, their advanced guards 
’iad effected a reconnoissance along the side of the hill 
towards the fort Bab-azoona, and their engineers had 
broken ground for new works within seven hundred yards 
of the Cassaubah. But these preparations were unneces- 
sary ; the Dey had resigned all further intention of resist- 
ance, and at two o’clock a flag of truce was announced, 
which proved to be Sidy Mustapha, the Dey’s private sec- 
retary, charged with offers of paying the whole expense of 
the campaign, relinquishing all his demands on France, 
and making any further reparation that the French general 
might require, on condition that the troops should not 
enter Algiers. These proposals met with an instant neg 
ative : — Bourmont felt that Algiers was in his power, and 
declared that he would grant no other terms than an assur- 
ance of life to the Dey and inhabitants, adding that if the 
gates were not opened he should recommence his fire. 
Scarcely had Mustapha gone, than two other deputies 
appeared, sent by the townsmen to plead in their behalf. 
They were a Turk called Omar, and a Moor named Bou- 
derba, who having lived for some time at Marseilles, spoke 
French perfectly. They received nearly the same answer 
as Mustapha ; but they proved themselves better diplomat- 
ists, for they spoke so much to the general of the danger 
there would be in refusing the Janissaries all terms, and 
the probability that if thus driven to despair they might 
make a murderous resistance, and afterwards .destroy all 
the wealth and blow up all the forts before surrendering, 
that Bourmont, yielding to their representations, became 
less stern in his demands j and Mustapha having returned 
36* 2o 


426 


THE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


about ihe same lime with the English vice-consul, as a 
mediator, the following terms were finally committed to 
paper, and sent to the Dey by an interpreter. 

“ 1 . The fort of the Cassuubah, with all the other forts 
dependent on Algiers, and the harbor, shall be placed in 
the hands of the French troops the 5th of July, at 10 
o’clock, A. M. 

‘ 2 The general-in-chief of the French army ensures 
the Dey of Algiers personal liberty, and all his private 
property. 

“ 3. The Dey shall be free to retire with his family and 
wealth wherever he pleases. While he remains at Algiers 
he and his family shall be under the protection of the 
commander-in-chief. A guard shall insure his safety, and 
that of his family. 

“4. The same advantages, and same protection are 
assured to all the soldiers of the militia. 

“ 5. The exercise of the Mohammedan religion shall 
remain free ; the liberty of the inhabitants of all classes, 
their religion, property, commerce, and industry shall re- 
ceive no injury ; their women shall be respected : the gen- 
eral takes this on his own responsibility. 

“6. The ratification of this convention to be made 
before 10, A. M., on the 5th of July, and the French 
troops immediately after to take possession of the Cassau- 
bah, and other forts.” 

I'hese terms were so much more favorable than the Dey 
could have expected, that, of course, not a moment was 
lost in signifying his acceptance : he only begged to be 
allowed two hours more to get himself and his goods out 
of the Cassaubah, and these were readily granted. It 
may, indeed, be wondered at that he and his Janissaries 
should be allowed to retain all their ill-gotten booty, under 
the name of private property ; but Count de Bourmont, 
though not without talent, was essentially a weak man, 
and was in this instance overreached by the wily Moor. 
The whole of next morning an immense number of persons 
were seen flying from Algiers, previous to the entry of the 
French army, and carrying with them all their goods, valu- 
ables, and money. They fled by the fort Bab-azoona, on 
the roads towards Constantina and Bleeda ; and about a 


IMMENSE TREASURES OF THE ALGERINES. 427 

hundred mounted Arabs were seen caracolling on the 
beach, as if to cover their retreat. No opposition to it, 
however, was made by the French troops, or by their navy, 
which had now again come in sight. 

At twelve o’clock the general, with his staff, artillery, and 
a strong guard, entered the Cassaubah, and at the same 
moment all the other forts were taken possession of by 
French troops. No one appeared to make a formal sur- 
render, nor did any one present himself on the part of the 
inhabitants, to inquire as to what protection they were to 
receive, yet, on the whole, we believe the troops conducted 
themselves, at least on this occasion, with signal forbear- 
ance ; and that of the robberies which took place, the 
greater number were perpetrated by Moors and Jews. 
One was rather ingenious. The minister of finance had 
given up the public treasures to commissioners regularly 
appointed for the purpose. Amongst others, the mint was 
visited, a receipt given of its containing bullion to the 
amount of 25,000 or 30,000 francs, the door sealed, and a 
sentry placed. Next morning the seal was perfect, the 
sentry at his post, but the bullion was gone through a small 
hole made in the back wall. 

The amount of public property found in Algiers, and 
appropriated by the French, was very considerable, and 
much more than repaid the expenses of the expedition. 
The blockade of the last three years had, by interrupting 
their commerce, caused an accumulation of the commod- 
ities in which the Algerines generally paid their tribute, so 
that the storehouses at the Cassaubah were abundantly 
filled with wool, hides, leather, wax, lead and copper. 
Quantities of grain, silks, muslins, and gold and silver 
tissues were also found, as well as salt, of which the Dey 
had reserved to himself a monopoly, and, by buying it very 
cheap at the Balearic Isles, used to sell it at an extravagant 
rate to his subjects. The treasure alone amounted to 
nearly fifty million of francs, and the cannon, projectiles, 
powder magazines, and military stores, together with the 
public buildings, foundries, dock-yards, and vessels in the 
harbor, were estimated at a still larger amount ; while the 
entire expense of the expedition, including land and sea 
service, together with the maintenance of an army of occu- 


428 


IHE ALGERINE PIRATES. 


pation up to January, 1831, was computed not to exceed 
48,500,000 francs; so that France must have realized, by 
her first connection with Algiers, a sum not far short of 
£3,000,000 sterling — a larger amount, we will venture to 
say, than is likely to accrue to her again, even after many 
years of colonization. 

In a few days the Dey had embarked for Naples, which 
he chose as his future place of residence ; the Janissaries 
were sent in French vessels to Constantinople ; the Bey of 
Tippery made his submissions, and swore allegiance to the 
French King ; orders were issued, and laws enacted in his 
name ; the Arabs and Kalyles. came into market as usual 
with their fowl and game; a French soldier was tolerably 
safe, as long as he avoided going to any distance beyond 
the outposts ; and, on the whole, Algiers the warlike, had 
assumed all the appearance of a French colony. 

The French found, on. one of the bastions, the identical 
mortar from the mouth of which their resident Father 
V acher was fired off, towards their fleet, more than a cen- 
tury before. 


THE ADVENTURES, TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF 


CAPTAIN GOW. 



Gow killing tht Captain, 


Captain Gow sailed from Amsterdam, in July, 1724, on 
board the George, galley, for Santa Cruz, where they took 


430 


THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN GOW. 


in bees’-wax. Scarcely had they sailed from that place, 
when Gow and several others, who had formed a con- 
spiracy, seized the vessel. One of the conspirators cried, 

“ There is a man overboard.” The captain instantly ran 
to the side of the vessel, when he was seized by two men, 
who attempted to throw him over ; he however so strug- 
gled, that he escaped from their hands. One Winter, with 
a knife, attempted to cut him in the throat, but missing his 
aim, the captain was yet saved. But Gow coming aft shot 
him through the body and thrc A^ing him over the rail he • 
caught hold of the main sheet ; but Gow taking up an axe, 
with two blows so disabled him that he fell into the sea 
and was drowned. The conspirators proceeded to murder 
all who were not in their horrid plot, which being done, 
James Williams came upon deck, and striking one of the 
guns with his cutlass, saluted Gow i^j the following words : 

“ Captain Gow, you are welcome, welcome to your com- 
mand.” Williams was declared lieutenant, and the other 
officers being appointed, the captain addressed them, say- 
ing: “ If, hereafter, I see any of you whispering together, 
or T any of you refuse to obey my orders, let every such 
man depend upon it, that he shall certainly go the same 
w'ay as those that are just gone before.” 

Their first prize was the Sarah Snow, of Bristol. After 
they had rifled the vessel and received one man from it, 
they allowed her to prosecute her voyage. The Delight, 
of Poole, was the next vessel that fell into their hands ; 
but they not long after captured two others, from one of 
which they received a quantity of fish, and from the other 
bread, beef, and pork. They also forced two men from 
the latter ship. A French ship, not long after, furnished 
them with wine, oil, figs, oranges, and lemons, to the 
value of 500/. In a short time after, they captured their 
last prize, and, as she made no resistance,, they plundered 
and dismissed her. 

They next sailed for the Orkney Isles to clean, but 
were apprehended by a gentleman of that country, brought 
up to London, and tried before a Court’ of Admiralty, in 
May, 1725. When the first indictment was read, Gow 
obstinately refused to plead, for which the Court ordered 
his thumbs to be tied together with whipcord. The pun- 


EXECUTION OF CAPTAIN GOW. 


431 


isliment was several times repeated by the executioner and 
'another officer, they drawing the cord every time till it 
broke. But he still being stubborn, refusing to submit to 
the court, the sentence was pronounced against him, 
which the law appoints in such cases; that is, “That he 
should be taken back to prison, and there pressed to 
death ’’ The gaoler was then ordered to conduct him 
back, and see that the sentence was executed the next 
morning ; meanwhile the trials of the prisoners, his com- 
panions, went forward. 

But the next morning, when the press was prepared, 
pursuant to the order of the Court the day before, he was 
so terrified with th© apprehension of dying in i/.at manner, 
that he sent his humble petition to the Court, praying that 
he might be admitted lO plead. This request being 
granted, he was brought again to the bar, and arraigned 
upon the first indictment, to which he pleaded Not guilty. 
Then the depositions that had been given against the other 
prisoners were repeated, upon which he was convicted, 
and received the sentence of death accordingly, which he 
suffered in company with Captain Weaver and William 
Ingham. 

The stones of these two men are so interwoven with 
others, that it will be impossible to distinguish many of 
their particular actions. They w’ere, however, proved to 
have been concerned, if not the principal actors, in the 
following piracies : first, The seizing a Dutch ship in 
August, 17’22, and taking from thence a hundred pieces 
of Holland, value 800/. ; a thousand pieces of eight, value 
250/. Secondly, The entering and pillaging the Dolphin 
of London, Williarn Haddock, out of which they got three 
hundred pieces of eight, value 75/. ; forty gallons of rum, 
and other things, on the twentieth of November in the 
same year. Thirdly, the stealing out of a ship called the 
Don Carlos, Lot NeekinS;»master, four hundred ounces of . 
silver, value 100/. fifty gallons of rum, value 30s. a thous- 
and pieces of eight, a hundred pistoles, and other valuable 
goods. And fourthly, the taking from a ship called the 
England, ten pipes of wine, value .250/. The two last 
charges Wh in the year 1721. Weaver returned home, 
and came to Mr. Thomas Smith, at Bristol, in a very rag- 


432 


SOJfG or THE PIRATES. 


ged coDditioo ; and pretending that he had been robbed 
bj pirates. Smith, who had been acquainted uTth him 
eight or nine jears before, prorided him with necessaries, 
and he walked about unmolested for some time. But 
Captain Joseph Smith, who knew him when a pirate, one 
daj met him, and asked him to go and take a ^ttle witli 
him ; when they were in the tarem he told him that he 
bad been a considerable sufferer bj his boarding his vessel 
“therefore,” said be, “as I understand that you are in 
good circumstances, I expect that you will make me some 
restitutio^ ; which if you do, I will never hurt a hair of 
your bead, because you were very civil to me when I was 
in your hands.” But as this recompense was never given, 
Weaver was apprehended and executed. 


PIRATE’S SONG. 


To the mast nail our flag ! it is dark as the grave. 

Or the death which it bears while it sweeps o’er the wave ; 
Let our deck clear for action, our guns be prepared ; 

Be the boarding-axe sharpened, the scimetar bared ; 

Set the canisters ready, and then bring to me. 

For the last of my duties, the powder-room key 
It shall never be lowered, the black flag we b^ ; 

If the sea be denied us, we sweep through the air. 
Unshared have we left our last victory’s prey ; 

It is mine to divide it, and yours^ to obey : 

There are shawl? that might suit a sultana’s white neck, 
And pearls that are fair as the arms they will deck ; 

There are flasks which, unseal them, the air will disclose 
Diametta’s fair summers, the home of the rose. 

I claim not a portion : I ask but as mine — 

Tis to drink to our victory — one cup of red wine. 

Some fight, ‘tis for riches — some fight, ’tis for fame: 

The first I despise, and the last is a name. 

I fight, 'tis for vengeance ! I love to see flow, 

At the stroke.of my sabre, the life of my foe. 

I strike for the memory of long-vanished years: 

I only shed blood where another shed tears. 

I come, as the lightning comes red from above. 

O’er the race tlmt 1 loatJie, to the battle I love. 


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